79. Mr. N. Smithasked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that solicitors habitually take 18 months to two years over the settlement of simple wills, thus delaying benefit to the revenue while causing vexation to legatees; and will he fix a statutory period for such settlements beyond which the solicitor shall be liable to financial penalties.
§ The Attorney-General:I certainly do not accept the suggestions of habitual delay by solicitors which are made by my hon. Friend. During the war a very large proportion of the total number of solicitors in practice in 1939 and their clerks were in the Forces or on other war service. As a result there was an accumulation of arrears of work in solicitors' offices, as in other professions, and delays inevitably occurred which are as much regretted by solicitors as by their clients. But I am glad to say that, with the return of solicitors and their clerks from war service, matters are now steadily improving. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.