§ Mr. Cassellsasked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that circulars are repeatedly issued by debt-collecting 611W agencies demanding payment of expenses before any action has been taken and no legal expenses incurred, and that some of these agencies also issue letters for payment of debts framed so as to mislead the debtor into accepting such as an official communication; and what steps is he prepared to take to remedy this growing practice?
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandYes, Sir. Various cases of this type have been brought to the notice of my right hon. Friend and are at present under examination. Except under a decree for expenses pronounced by a competent court, a debtor is under no legal liability to pay any sum in respect of the alleged expenses of recovery of the debt; and I hope that this answer may remove any misconception which may prevail upon this point.