HC Deb 29 April 1937 vol 323 cc510-1
69. Mr. McGovern

asked the Lord Advocate whether he will set up a committee of inquiry into the many illegal and terroristic acts of debt recovery agents in Glasgow?

Mr. Wedderburn

On several occasions during the last two years reports have reached the Crown Office of oppressive conduct and abuse of legal process and diligence by debt recovery agents in Glasgow, and in two cases convictions have been obtained on a charge of attempting to extort money by threats. The powers of the civil courts to penalise oppressive conduct of this kind by awards of expenses, and of the criminal authorities to prosecute at Common Law or under the Solicitors (Scotland) Act, 1933, are, I am advised, sufficient to enable these abuses to be suitably dealt with. The hon. Member may rest assured that a prosecution will be taken in every suitable case. The Lord Advocate does not consider, however, that any useful purpose would be served by a committee of inquiry.

Mr. McGovern

Is the Under-Secretary aware that a number of cases have been reported by me to the Procurator-Fiscal and to the Lord Advocate, which show that even when the last payment of 2s. is tendered it has been refused by debt recovery agents in Glasgow and a summons is served and poinding notices take place; and in some cases people have paid as much as £7 for an original debt of 25s.? Is not that sufficient to justify him in setting up some inquiry into these oppressive and illegal actions?

Mr. Wedderburn

The circumstances to which the hon. Member refers are well known, but what we want is legal evidence of individual cases. The Lord Advocate does not feel that the setting up of a committee of inquiry would help us to get legal evidence in individual cases.

Mr. McGovern

Will the Under-Secretary convey to the Lord Advocate the suggestion that he himself should go to Glasgow, not in an official way, make inquiries into the allegations which are being made and see whether any action is necessary?

Mr. Wedderburn

My right hon. and learned Friend is well aware of the allegations which are being made but before we can get a conviction we must get legal evidence which relates to the individual case. That is the difficulty.

Mr. Cassells

May we take it that the Lord Advocate considers that these cases are covered by the Solicitors (Scotland) Act, 1933?

Mr. Wedderburn

That is only one of the means I have mentioned as dealing with these cases.