Schedule 11
Legal Services Bill [Lords]
10:00 am
Simon Hughes (Party President, Cross-Portfolio and Non-Portfolio Responsibilities; North Southwark and Bermondsey, Liberal Democrat)
We have subscribed to the amendment, which is entirely reasonable, and if agreed to it would not mean a mandatory requirement. It does not say, “licensing rules must provide”, it says “may”. It does not oblige the outcome advanced by the hon. Member for Huntingdon but gives the clear indication that people should pay for the application that they are making, which must be the right process. If people are making a much bigger application, the processing and consideration will take longer, more time will be needed and the fees will be bigger. The amendment does all the things that one would expect. I hope that the consumerists on the other side of the room will join those on this side, thinking that this is a reasonable way forward.