§ 36. Mr. Ellisasked the Attorney-General whether he intends to implement the Report No. 54, National Board for Prices and Incomes, in relation to the reduction of conveyancing fees by solicitors.
§ The Attorney-General (Sir Elwyn Jones)As I said in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Oakes) on 22nd February, it will be necessary for the Government to take account of the views of the professional bodies and others concerned before reaching a decision on the many issues raised by this Report. The particular recommendation for the reduction of conveyancing charges at certain price levels must be read in the conext of the Board's other recommendations, some of which would involve increases in charges.—[Vol. 759, c. 182.]
§ Mr. EllisWill my right hon. and learned Friend chance his arm and give us the expected date when he hopes to reach agreement? He will be aware that for many people, not only in the House, this is a serious problem. We regard the question of conveyancing fees as solicitors getting money for old rope in many cases.
§ The Attorney-GeneralWhile not agreeing with the last proposition, certainly we are very concerned to reach an early decision upon this matter. My hon. Friend will no doubt bear in mind that the Board recommended an increase in conveyancing charges for property below £2,000 in value.
§ Mr. HoggWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman also bear in mind that there is considerable evidence that the net take-home pay of the solicitor in real 966 terms is lower than before the war whereas that, for instance, of a railway porter is twice that of before the war?
§ The Attorney-GeneralWhat I bear in mind is that the recommendations of the Board were by way of a package deal and that the body of recommendations needs to be considered carefully before action is taken in respect of any one of them.
§ Mr. MilneArising from the last supplementary question, will my right hon. and learned Friend point out to the legal profession the vacancies that exist on British Railways?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI do not catch the full import of that Question and I do not know whether solicitors would make good guards.
§ Sir G. NabarroWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind that this House has a large burden of responsibility in this matter and that the very complexity of recent legislation, notably the Land Commission Act, adds enormously to solicitors' costs in establishing a correct title?
§ The Attorney-GeneralAll these valuable changes in the law need study by the learned professions, and they are quite capable of effective study.