2. Lieut.-Commander Hutchisonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now consider amending the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act, 1949, so as to provide for the payment out of the Legal Aid Fund of expenses awarded to a successful litigant against an assisted person.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Henderson Stewart)The position is being kept under review, but amending legislation is not at present in contemplation.
Lieut.-Commander HutchisonWill my hon. Friend consult the Law Society of Scotland about this as there seems to be some hardship at present on successful litigants who may themselves be men of only moderate means?
§ Mr. StewartI think we are in touch with them. There has always to be borne in mind the interest of the State, which bears a considerable part of this burden.