Clause 2 - Court officers, staff and services
Courts Bill [Lords]
11:15 am
Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath, Conservative)
I am grateful to the Minister. It was useful to have those matters clarified and put on the record. I am still somewhat concerned that the change is going through swiftly. It is quite a major change.
People who have had, in their official capacity, independence from the state are to be walled up in new state bureaucracy. I am slightly surprised that the change has, apparently, been welcomed. I have a nasty feeling that in a few years' time, when the people concerned start getting let down by the Labour Government on pay and conditions, there will be many protests. People will say, ''We never realised that it would mean this. We would much rather have kept our old position.''
Nevertheless, having put the matter on the record, I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.