§ Mr. HIGHAMasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the court fees of the county courts, fixed 2134W by Treasury Order, stand as high as 3s. in the £; and whether, in view of the effect of this charge in the case of persons of small means, he will, when the Finance Bill becomes law, consider the possibility of revising county court fees so that in cases not exceeding five pounds a fee of, say, 2s. 6d., or some other amount much less than the present charge, may be prescribed?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIt is the case that in contested actions in county courts the fees fixed by Treasury Order with the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor may amount to as much as 3s. in the £. Certain recommendations on the question of fees (partly contingent on the adoption of other recommendations and of economies being made as a result) have been made by the Committee which has recently reported to the Lord Chancellor on the subject of county court procedure, but I am unable to say what action will be taken with regard to them. I may add, however, that the current expenses of the county courts are more than the amount of fees received.