HC Deb 01 May 1972 vol 836 cc27-8
34. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the new facts. figures and detailed information sent to him by the hon. Member for West Ham, North, giving evidence of the increasing costs connected with obtaining justice under the present legal system, he will now take action to reduce all legal costs connected with the British judicial system.

The Attorney-General

The hon. Member sent me a recent article in the Press which compares figures of increased cost of litigation in the eleven years since 1960. The increases reported were commensurate with the rise in the cost of living. Nevertheless, my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor loses no opportunity of saving litigation costs where he can do so by simplifying procedure.

Mr. Lewis

The Attorney-General is right. This gave a whole host of figures and pointed out that these QCs and lawyers appear virtually to be able to get any fees they want without any question of the Government telling them that it is inflationary and trying to refer the matter to the Industrial Relations Court, as happens with the poor railwaymen. It appears that the poor railwaymen getting a few shillings a week more—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Is this a Question?

Mr. Lewis

Yes, Mr. Speaker. I am asking whether the Attorney-General is aware that when it comes to the poor railwaymen getting a few shillings a week more, the Government hastily refer the matter to the Industrial Relations Court. But no action seems to be taken with these lawyers who get thousands of pounds.

The Attorney-General

The article shows that in 1960 counsel's fees in specified litigation was 27 guineas, whereas in 1971 those fees had risen to 35 guineas. I do not know whether the hon. Gentleman would like to compare that with, for instance, the increase in parliamentary salaries.

Mr. Lewis

We do not get refreshers.

Mr. Speaker

Some of us might say. "Thank Heaven for that."