HC Deb 01 November 1949 vol 469 cc197-8
42. Mr. Rankin

asked the Lord Advocate if, in the interests of economy, he will take the steps necessary to enable the Court of Session to go on circuit when hearing cases, as does the High Court of Justiciary.

The Lord Advocate (Mr. John Wheatley)

The Royal Commission on the Court of Session concluded that economy would not result from such an arrangement, and with that conclusion I agree. Moreover, the Royal Commission expressed the view that the policy of decentralisation applied to the Court of Session would be a destructive one, and I see no reason to differ from their conclusion.

Mr. Rankin

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that a litigant in a Court of Session action has to engage solicitors in his town of residence and solicitors in Edinburgh, and that all expert witnesses have to be taken through to Edinburgh, all of which means that time and money are consumed? Now that the Government are paying for all litigation does not that procedure mean sending up the costs, and can I press him to look at this matter again?

The Lord Advocate

Those were the very facts which the Commission had in view when they came to their conclusion.