§ 77. Flying-Officer Bowdenasked the Attorney-General how many cases of proceedings for divorce promoted through the 1324 Law Society Poor Persons Committee are awaiting hearing.
§ The Attorney-General (Sir Hartley Shawcross)The number of cases of proceedings for divorce promoted through the Poor Persons Committee of the Law Society which have been set down and are awaiting hearing is, at the present moment, approximately 1,600.
§ Flying-Officer BowdenWill the hon. and learned Gentleman state if any new legal machinery is contemplated to deal with these cases?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThat matter is now receiving consideration.
§ Mr. JannerWill the hon. and learned Gentleman be prepared to revise the release of solicitors in order to cope professionally with these cases?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe whole question of expediting the machinery of the courts in connection with divorce and other proceedings is now being considered in all its aspects, including that one.
§ Mr. MurrayWill the hon. and learned Gentleman try to speed up this business? On Sunday night a young man told me that he had been four years trying to get a divorce, and he is no further forward yet.
§ Mr. LoganWill the hon. and learned Gentleman say if it is possible to postpone the operation of divorce for a period of five years?