§ 39. Mr. CHALMERSasked the Attorney-General whether he can now state what steps are being taken to cheapen and to expedite litigation in the county courts?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERAL (Sir Boyd Merriman)Steps have recently been taken to cheapen litigation in county courts by reducing the percentage increase on solicitors' scale charges. I do not think that more can be done at the present time in this direction. I am not aware that county court litigation needs expediting. There are already facilities for cases to be heard promptly. If the hon. Member has in mind any particular cases of delay, my noble Friend, the Lord Chancellor, will be prepared to consider them.
§ Mr. CHALMERSCould not some steps be taken to fix the time of hearing, so that the time of litigants and witnesses may not be wasted?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERALInstructions have been given that that should be facilitated as much as possible by communications between the registrars and the parties, but my hon. Friend knows how difficult it is to form a just estimate of the time that cases will take, and, particularly the case which comes on before that in which one happens to be engaged.
§ Mr. CHALMERSIn considering this matter, will the Solicitor-General consider that the time of the public is of even more importance, in view of the number engaged in giving evidence and in the conduct of the case, than that of the learned Judge?
§ Mr. CAPORNWill the Solicitor-General take steps to compare the practice at a county court like that at Watford with that of West London, where the practice is to have a time-table, whereas at other places it is the practice to summon everyone concerned at half-past ten?
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERALAs regards the class of instances referred to in the latter part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, as I have said, the Lord Chancellor is responsible, and, if my hon. Friend will bring instances of that sort to his notice, the matter will, doubtless, be dealt with.