§ Mr. Bowdenasked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the decision to wind up the Public Trustee Office, which a short time ago was advertising for business, he will consider financial compensation for those people who have now been forced to incur additional legal costs as a result.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Government's acceptance of the recommendations of the Hutton Committee does not mean that anyone will be forced to remove his business from the Public Trustee. Discussions are proceeding, as forecast in the White Paper (Cmnd. 4913), on the proposal that settlors and beneficiaries should be offered the opportunity to accept transfer to another trustee free of expense. If satisfactory arrangements can be agreed, appropriate provision will be made in the legislation. In the meanwhile, as I have already announced in reply to a Question on 11th May by my hon. and learned Friend, the Member for South-port (Mr. Percival), the Public Trustee may exercise his discretion to waive his withdrawal fee in appropriate cases. Consideration is also being given to the Hutton Committee's Proposal that original wills deposited with the Public Trustee and appointing him as executor or trustee should be capable of being altered without cost to the testator.—[Vol. 836, c.423. ]