§ 74. Mr. Rees-Williamsasked the Attorney-General (1) in view of the fact that the acceptance of the recommendations of the Rushcliffe Report does not lessen the cost of litigation but merely, in some degree, throws the burden on the State and, in view of the hardship imposed by the excessive cost of litigation on His Majesty's subjects, if he will appoint a committee to consider and make representations on the steps to be taken to secure a substantial reduction in this direction;
(2) whether, in view of the exorbitant cost of proceedings in the High Court, he will introduce legislation to extend the jurisdiction of the county courts.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI would remind the hon. Member that the Second Interim Report of the Committee on Procedure in Matrimonial Causes contains recommendations concerning the costs of petitions for Divorce and has received the Government's approval. The Government are considering the advisability of setting up Committees to consider other aspects of the cost of litigation, including the limits of county court jurisdiction.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsIn view of the urgent nature of this matter, will the learned Attorney-General give the House some indication of when these committees are likly to be set up?
§ The Attorney-GeneralAt the moment I can only indicate that the matter is being given urgent consideration.