§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is considering in view of recently expressed judicial anxiety to ensure that senior counsel are not unnecessarily employed in cases of little complexity where the litigants are in receipt of legal aid; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossUnder the Legal Aid (Scotland) Scheme 1958 an assisted person is entitled to the services of counsel to be selected by him in the Court of Session but it has been suggested, in relation to consistorial actions, that the prior authority of the Supreme Court Committee should be required before he is given the services of more than one counsel. I am considering the implications of this proposal in consultation with the Law Society of Scotland.