§ 56. Mr. ALBERT RUSSELLasked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that great delay is taking place in dealing with applications for the appointment of receivers on the estates of persons detained in mental institutions in England when such applications are submitted to the Management and Administration Department, Personal Application Branch, of the Royal Courts of Justice; that in some cases the delay is as long as 10 months and that the reason put forward for the delay is the great pressure of work in the department; and whether he will take steps to secure, by increase of staff or otherwise, that such applications can be dealt with within a reasonable time of their presentation?
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Thomas lnskip)My Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor is aware that there is congestion of business in the office of the Master in Lunacy, in spite of the very large increases in the staff of the department which have been made during recent years. My Noble Friend has set up a committee to consider whether the staff organisation and accommodation of the department are adequate and, if not, what alterations are necessary and desirable.
§ Mr. RUSSELLWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman see that the delay is remedied as soon as possible?