HC Deb 30 November 1987 vol 123 cc598-9
64. Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

To ask the Attorney-General whether the Lord Chancellor has any plans to introduce a family court.

The Solicitor-General (Sir Nicholas Lyell)

The idea of a family court embraces a number of concepts which are under study by the Lord Chancellor. The object is to improve the effective workings of the courts in the handling of family matters.

Mrs. Bottomley

Does my hon. and learned Friend agree that, with 160,000 divorces a year, involving 70,000 children, it is time to move on from our outdated and incoherent family court structures? Too often proceedings in court emphasise the adversarial aspects and exacerbate the difficulties of those involved. Clearly, it is time to put an end to drift and delay and to make a decision to move towards a coherent, integrated family court structure.

The Solicitor-General

I have much sympathy with what my hon. Friend says. The opportunities for conciliation and reconciliation are among the aspects being studied, and the Government are anxious to improve the handling of all family business — especially cases concerning children.

Mr. Corbett

Will the hon. and learned Gentleman accept that the time has come for more than sympathy? I was told in a written answer that for about £300 million we could make this system much better, in the interests of those who get involved in these difficult and emotionally charged situations. Will he give the House some sort of timetable and a clear commitment that this will be done?

The Solicitor-General

The matter is under very active consideration by the Lord Chancellor. The hon.

Gentleman mentioned a figure that his own Government when in office regarded as wholly unrealistic. We are getting ahead and studying the position in the hope of coming forward fairly early with an answer.

Mr. Sims

Will my hon. and learned Friend take into account the representations made by a wide range of bodies that support the idea of family courts? The representations included those from some who combined to form the family courts campaign. These bodies went to a lot of trouble to respond to the consultation document, since when nothing seems to have happened. When will we get some action?

The Solicitor-General

My hon. Friend points out that a number of bodies have made representations. They made a very diverse range of representations. The concept of the family court covers all those good ideas. It is for the Lord Chancellor, in company with colleagues, to decide which ideas to choose.