Clause 11 - Resignation and removal of lay justices
Courts Bill [Lords]
10:15 am
Mr Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath, Conservative)
I think that the Minister is being a little unreasonable, but I shall not pursue the point. However, he and those who advise him must be aware that the reasonable test has been applied to the actions of Secretaries of State and Ministers in many areas of legislation. I have been involved in a number of Standing Committees, as has the hon. Member for Somerton and Frome, and we have seen such phrases in Bills.
The fact that all Ministers are under a general duty to act reasonably under the Wednesbury principles does not mean that reasonableness cannot be included in legislation. It is often to be found in legislation, and there is no reason why it should not be included in the Bill. However, I shall not waste the Committee's time by pursuing the point now. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Clause 11 ordered to stand part of the Bill.