§ Mr. Hoosonasked the Attorney-General if he can now indicate what plans there are for the future of the Office of the Public Trustee; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William Clarkasked the Attorney-General whether the committee appointed to consider the future of the Public Trustee Office, announced on 26th May, 1971, has yet reported.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe report of the committee appointed to consider the future of the Public Trustee Office was published yesterday as an annex to the White Paper in which the Government's intentions for the future of the office are announced. It is intended to accelerate the rundown of work that is already taking place in the office, to make full provision for the continued satisfactory administration of existing trusts and to merge what may remain of the work of the Public Trustee with the work of the Official Solicitor. Legislation will be necessary.
Her Majesty's Government are grateful to the committee for the speed and the thoroughness with which it has worked. On behalf of my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor, I would like to take the opportunity of paying tribute to the skilled and devoted work of the staff, both lay and professional, of the Office of the Public Trustee.