Clause 1 - Disapplication of apportionment etc. rules

Trusts (Capital and Income) Bill [LORDS] – in a Public Bill Committee at 8:55 am on 13 November 2012.

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Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.

Photo of Helen Grant Helen Grant The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Women and Equalities

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Leigh.

The Bill is a short, technical measure that will reform the law of trusts in modest but worthwhile ways. It implements, with minor modifications, Law Commission recommendations. It is the product of careful consideration and consultation with leading experts and stakeholders by the Law Commission and, more recently, the Ministry of Justice.

The Bill will simplify and modernise the law, and I commend it to the Committee.

Photo of Rob Flello Rob Flello Shadow Minister (Justice)

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Leigh.

Although the measure is a Government Bill, it was instigated by the Law Commission, which started work on it in 2000, under the Labour Government. I again take the opportunity to commend the Law Commission for its unstinting work over a long time.

The Minister kindly wrote to me following the questions I asked in the Second Reading Committee. Although her reply contains no particularly new information, it confirms that the Government are relying on the Law Commission and the Law Society for technical support on the Bill. Given that both eminent organisations, as well as other learned lawyers, have expressed something between contentment and praise for the measure, there is little more that the Committee can add.

However, in view of the lack of detail in the impact assessment, I urge the Government to keep eyes and ears open for any future representations from those experiencing the effects of the Bill, and to be quick to return to Parliament with any amendments that might prove necessary.

I look forward to the Bill’s becoming law, and the benefits that it will hopefully bring to practitioners and beneficiaries alike.

Photo of Julian Huppert Julian Huppert Liberal Democrat, Cambridge

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Leigh, however briefly.

I have listened carefully to the speeches that the Minister and the shadow Minister have made so far. On reflection, I agree that the Bill is extremely good and worthwhile. Of course, much of it is rather technical, but I congratulate the Law Commission and everyone involved in drafting it and I, too, wish it a speedy passage into law.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 1 accordingly ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 2 to 6 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Photo of Rob Flello Rob Flello Shadow Minister (Justice)

On a point of order, Mr Leigh. I want to take the opportunity to put on record my thanks to you, your co-Chair, all members of the Committee and all the officers who have supported it.

Bill to be reported, without amendment.

Committee rose.