§ Mr. Peter Fraserasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration Her Majesty's Government are giving to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on legal services in Scotland on the subject of divorce.
§ Mr. YoungerAs well as the Royal Commission's report, there have been a number of reports by legal bodies proposing or discussing possible changes in divorce procedure and jurisdiction. The Lord President of the Court of Session is also examining proposals for procedural changes made by the committee he set up under the chairmanship of Lord Cowie. Work on this will continue, but the Lord Advocate and I have decided that it is desirable that we should, in consultation and taking account of these reports, examine wider possibilities for reform which could include changes to primary law. We have it in mind to issue a consultative document seeking78W comments from the public and from legal and other bodies on different possibilities for reform. The examination will relate to issues of procedure, evidential requirements and jurisdiction and will not extend to the grounds for divorce or the substantive law relating to the custody of children or financial provision on divorce.