§ Mr. ChannonTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he proposes to arrange for county courts' judgments under £5,000 to carry interest; if he will authorise such interest to apply retrospectively; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. John M. TaylorMy Department has recently conducted a wide-ranging public consultation to evaluate the scheme introduced in July 1991 which provides for interest on county court judgments over £5,000. Responses to this consultation are currently being evaluated. While it would not therefore be appropriate to make a statement about any extension of the scheme at this time, my officials will be writing to interested parties to inform them of the outcome of the evaluation during the spring. I can, however, confirm that any extension of the scheme would not provide for interest to apply retrospectively.
§ Mr. ChannonTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when his evaluation of the question of county court judgments carrying interest will be concluded.
Mr. John M. TaylorMy Department's evaluation of the changes introduced in July 1991, which included a provision for interest on judgment debts over £5,000, will be completed by the end of this month.