§ Mr. Marplesasked the Attorney-General what steps are to be taken to remedy the defects of the judicial system in its application to enforcing small claims, as set out in the Consumer Council's recent publication, "Justice Out of Reach", a copy of which is in his possession.
§ The Attorney-GeneralAs I explained in answer to the hon. Members for Eccles (Mr. Carter-Jones) and Newcastle-under-Lyme (Mr. Golding) on 17th November last, my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has considered "Justice Out of Reach". There are a number of objections to its proposals but my noble Friend is concerned to improve the procedure in county courts with a view to enabling small claims to be more easily litigated, with or without professional representation. He arranged for the matter to be considered at a conference of county court judges, registrars and chief clerks504W and for outgoing grants under Section 27 of the Act, respectively; how many applications have been approved; how many have been withdrawn; how many have had to be refused; and how many are pending.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartFollowing is the information up to 31st December, 1970:
and their suggestions are to be put to the County Court Rule Committee.—[Vol. 806, c. 1027–8.]