§ Mr. McGovernasked the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been called to the recent trial of Mr. Turkington, debt collector, Gallowgate, Glasgow, who was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment, and the revelations of fraudulent practices; whether he is aware that a number of complaints were placed in the hands of the authorities during the past six years and that no complete evidence could be obtained to justify an arrest and trial; and whether he will now introduce legislation to place the supervision of debt collectors in the hands of a local licensing authority where complaints could be inquired into?
§ The Lord AdvocateI am aware of the prosecution and of the complaints referred to by the hon. Member. A test case dealing with the methods used by one firm of debt collectors will shortly be heard by the High Court of Justiciary, and the question of amending legislation does not therefore arise in the meantime.