§ 38. Mr. Ottawayasked the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on measures to reduce delays in the Commercial Court.
§ The Solicitor-General (Sir Patrick Mayhew)My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor has warmly accepted the recommendations on changes in procedure and practice contained in the recent report of the 676 practitioner members of the Commercial Court committee. It is intended to amend the rules of court before the end of this month.
§ Mr. OttawayThat is a most welcome answer, but the truth is that some cases are taking up to two and a half years to come to trial in the Commercial Court. Given that the Commercial Court is a great foreign currency earner, will the Solicitor-General please ensure that the proposals are implemented as soon as possible?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralI agree that in extreme cases there is a delay of the order that my hon. Friend mentioned. I appreciate his knowledge of the subject from his professional association with that court. It is important that all that can be done should be done to speed up matters, and I am very hopeful that the report of the practitioner members will be very useful in that regard.
§ Mr. Carter-JonesIs the Solicitor-General aware that the Lord Chancellor feels that some of the delay is caused by the delay in producing a transcription of the notes? Will he take into account the fact that the equipment used by my right hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) is useful in that respect, and will he look at it please?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralI shall see that the hon. Gentleman's point is referred to my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor.