Clause 77 - Family Procedure Rule Committee
Courts Bill [Lords]
2:30 pm
Mr Christopher Leslie (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs; Shipley, Labour)
Before we were so rudely interrupted by lunch, I was halfway through an explanation of why amendments Nos. 79 and 87 should not be made to clause 77, which relates to the composition of the family procedure rule committee. I shall add to the comments that I have already made the fact that the Government remain convinced that having a single lay member on the family procedure rule committee will ensure that the voice of the lay person is heard when rules are being drafted. I shall briefly repeat the reason why we feel that only one seat is necessary. As all hon. Members know, committees can become large and unwieldy if the number of members is excessive. It was therefore a matter of judgment where we drew the line, but we believe that we have provided for adequate representation on the committees. I hope that the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Mr. Hawkins) will withdraw his amendment.