§ 55. Mr. Gowasked the Attorney-General when he expects the Royal Commission on the Legal Profession to start work.
§ The Solicitor-General (Mr. Peter Archer)As soon as may be after the appointment of the chairman and other members has been settled.
§ Mr. GowDoes the hon. and learned Gentleman agree that now that the Prime Minister has announced the setting up of the Royal Commission it is important that the chairman and members should be appointed and work should begin as soon as possible?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralCertainly it is important that the matter should proceed quickly. Equally, I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will agree that this is an important Commission and that it is important that we get it right.
§ Mr. AshleyWould my hon. and learned Friend be prepared to make two recommendations to the Prime Minister—first, that the report on legal services should not be delayed by the Royal Commission and, second, that lawyers should not dominate its membership?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralOn the second question, I shall of course pass on what my hon. Friend says to the Prime Minister. The first matter is to some extent within the powers of the Royal Commission itself, but I take the point.
§ Mr. BrittanWill the Government be putting forward proposals to the Royal Commission to implement the Solicitor-General's suggestion that judges should meet housewives, trade union officials and young radicals? If so, what will those proposals be?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralThe Government will probably not be making any suggestions. This question falls outside the initial Question, but since I have been asked I would say that I was simply endeavouring to acknowledge what I thought was a problem that was widely recognised—that people from differing backgrounds would often find it helpful to meet one another a little informally.
§ Mr. PercivalI agree with the Solicitor-General that it is important to get the membership of the Royal Commission right. To that end, the Prime Minister said that there would be wide consultation before the appointment of either chairman or members. Have the Government decided what the width of that consultation will be? Can the hon. and learned Gentleman give us any information on that now?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralConsultations are proceeding. I am sure that the hon. and learned Gentleman will appreciate that it is not normal to give details of who has suggested what to whom. However, if he has a specific question about the consultations, it should be directed to the Prime Minister.