§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney-General whether he will publish in the Official Report a detailed list giving, for the longest and most convenient stated period of time, the numbers of court cases where legal costs and damages have been awarded where public funds are concerned, the days which these cases were before the courts in each instance and what action he has taken or intends taking to reduce legal costs in the courts.
The Solicitor-GeneralThe information requested can only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The Lord Chancellor takes steps to reduce the cost of legal proceedings whenever he is able to do so without detriment to the administration of justice. Recent steps include the raising of the limit of the small claims procedure in county courts in April and the increase in county court jurisdiction in October.