Clause 100 - Power to alter judicial titles: Northern Ireland
Courts Bill [Lords]
4:00 pm
Mr Christopher Leslie (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs; Shipley, Labour)
I realise that the hon. Gentleman's amendment refers to the narrow terms defined in the clause, but dare I suggest that there was a bit of mischievous intent in tabling it? Perhaps he was seeking to reopen discussions about the changes affecting the position of Lord Chancellor. He seemed to suggest that in his comments. However, it would not necessarily be in order for me to address those points in detail. Suffice it to say that I do not think that there is any convincing or compelling reason why the Prime Minister need exercise a power of the type the hon. Gentleman mentions in Northern Ireland, when the Lord Chancellor is capable of dealing with it.
Titles are a matter for the Crown, and it is for Ministers of the Crown to advise on them. Therefore, the Lord Chancellor, who is to be the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, is quite capable of undertaking that function. The current arrangement is adequate, and we see no need to have the powers vested in the Prime Minister, as opposed to the Lord Chancellor, so I ask the Committee to reject the amendment.