§ Sir John Farrasked the Attorney-General if he will take steps to improve the services provided in the processing and issuing of attachment of earnings orders at Leicester court and to eliminate present delays; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralI understand that except for a brief period in May of this year, the Leicester county court has been able to process and issue applications for attachment of earnings orders generally within one day, but at most seven days of receipt. The time taken from issue of application to the making of an order is normally eight weeks and steps are being taken to reduce this figure to six weeks. Under rules of court, the earliest hearing date could not be before four weeks from issue of the application. If my hon. Friend has any particular cases in mind he may wish to write to the Lord Chancellor giving details.