§ Mr. Tom Boardmanasked the Attorney-General what consultations he has had with outside bodies, and what advice and representations he received, before reducing the District Probate Registry at Leicester to a sub-registry with restricted powers.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Registry at Leicester is to be a sub-registry under a scheme that affects the whole of England and Wales. The scheme is to be brought into force on 2nd June, 1969 by rules made by the President of the Probate Division of the High Court with the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor.
The President was advised by a Committee which was set up to review the 438W structure and organisation of District Probate Registries throughout the country. The Committee took account of the relevant considerations including the convenience of the public and the solicitors, the population of each area, the volume of business and the costs involved. Before accepting the Committee's recommendations, the President invited, and took account of, representations from interested bodies.
My noble friend the Lord Chancellor is satisfied that there will be no deterioration in the service provided as a result of the new scheme.