§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of of State for Scotland what action he has taken to consider the recommendations of the report of the Royal Commission on legal services in Scotland.
§ Mr. YoungerI should like to place on record the Government's appreciation of the notable public service undertaken over three and a half years by Lord Hughes and his fellow commissioners culminating in their lucid and comprehensive report.
The report contains over 200 recommendations covering a very wide field of subjects, some of which are for action by other bodies, notably the legal profession itself. I have informed the Faculty of Advocates and the Law Society of Scotland of my view that responsibility for the initial consideration of recommendations falling in this last category rests with them, and they have accepted this view. Detailed examination of the recommendations calling for Government action has already begun, and groups of them are likely to be the subject of decisions at different times. To this end I should welcome comments on the individual recommendations from all interested organisations and individuals.