§ Mr. MARCUSasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to enable the jurisdiction of the sheriff (small debt) courts to apply to actions involving sums not exceeding £50, instead of £20 as at present, so as to reduce the burden of legal expenses in the case of working-class litigants?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONMy right hon. Friend has not received any representations that the existing statutory provision, which requires that actions of the kind referred to shall be dealt with in the sheriff court as summary causes, does not reasonably meet the object in view of providing a simple and inexpensive procedure; and on the information at present before him he is not satisfied as to the necessity for the change suggested by my hon. Friend, but any representations on the subject will be welcomed.