§ 46. Rear-Admiral Beamishasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the frequency of cases of fraud, he will facilitate the Second Reading of the Solicitors Bill, which has passed in another place, and has for its object the protection of an honourable profession and the public against fraudulent practice?
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Mr. Attlee)While a Motion to defer the Second Reading of this Bill at present appears on the Order Paper, it is hoped that the differences which gave rise to it will disappear. I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that, as my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister stated, in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Windsor (Sir A. Somerville) on 15th May, the Government are prepared to provide facilities for consideration of this Measure on the understanding that it will be treated as uncontroversial. I would emphasise that facilities can only be provided if discussion on the Bill is non-contentious.
§ Rear-Admiral BeamishIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a genuine public need for this legislation, 1488 that the Law Society wants it for the better control of a great profession, that it will check fraud and lessen misery, which is deplored by more than 99 per cent. of the legal profession? Will he approach his quondam friends and ask them to remove their obstruction to the wheels of progress?