§ Mr. R. Morganasked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that welfare officers are being consulted in an increasing number of matrimonial cases and are unable to deal with them owing to the inability of serving soldiers to provide the sum necessary for court fees under the Poor Persons' Rules, even where the wife is cohabiting with another man with the children of the marriage; and whether he will take steps to secure the remission of these fees in appropriate cases?
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§ The Attorney-GeneralUnder the Rules of the Supreme Court relating to poor persons' proceedings no court fees are payable by poor persons, and, except in special circumstances, no costs are payable by poor persons. The hon. Member may be referring to the deposit payable by poor persons to cover the necessary disbursements incurred in connection with the proceedings, which usually vary between £3 and £5. I would point out to my hon. Friend that the services of the conducting solicitor and of counsel are given free of charge.