asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement regarding the bringing into force of the provisions of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act, 1949, in terms of Section 17 (4) of that Act.

It is hoped to bring the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act, 1949, into force for the purpose of civil proceedings in the Court of Session and the sheriff court, except those excluded by the Act, on 2nd October next, and all necessary arrangements are being made to enable this to be done.