HC Deb 13 December 1978 vol 960 cc657-9
38. Mr. Canavan

asked the Lord Advocate whether he will arrange to meet the Scottish Law Commission to discuss the delay in the report of its committee on warrant sales.

The Lord Advocate

I have no immediate plans to meet the Scottish Law Commission to discuss warrant sales. The Scottish Law Commission is proceeding as expeditiously as possible with the research to which I referred in an answer which I gave to my hon. Friend on 15th February 1978.

Mr. Canavan

What does "expeditiously" mean, in view of the fact that the Law Commission working party was set up eight yeas ago? Will my right hon. and learned Friend bear in mind that there is a vested interest in delay on the part of some members of the working party, such as John Gray, for example, the brother of the notorious sheriff officer, Thomas Gray? Instead of waiting for a report which may never come, will the Government take immediate steps to introduce legislation to ban this barbaric practice, which is banned in every other part of the United Kingdom?

The Lord Advocate

I do not accept that my hon. Friend's comments are in any way justified. "Expeditiously" means quickly. The Scottish Law Commission's examination of the law of diligence has certainly not been quick. It has taken some time, but my hon. Friend must bear in mind that the Law Commission has had many immediate priorities that have had to be met in the past. A request for Government assistance in carrying out necessary social research was met immediately by the Government. This work began in November 1977. It is hoped that it will be completed before the end of 1979. The Law Commission will then consider the merits with a view to making recommendations as a result of the reports that it has received on these social inquiries. I repeat what I have said before in the House. If any specific evil which might readily be cured, is drawn to my attention, I shall look sympathetically at proposals for reform.

Mr. Dempsey

Will my right hon. and learned Friend at least freeze the use of this system of debt collection until the Law Commission reports, in view of the humiliation which it causes to consumers in this country?

The Lord Advocate

I can only repeat what I have said already. I shall look specifically at any particular evil that is drawn to my attention.