§ 30. Lady Olga MaitlandTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has had with respect to the Family Law Bill. [4666]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansI have received a number of representations, including representations from my hon. Friend, in relation to the proposals contained in the Family Law Bill. I am also aware that my hon. Friend has been to see my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor, and I trust that she was reassured by what he had to say.
§ Lady Olga MaitlandI thank my hon. Friend for his reply, but I was not reassured by what the Lord Chancellor had to say to me. Is my hon. Friend aware that there is grave disquiet throughout the country about the Family Law Bill, which will hasten the break-up of marriages? The victims of such break-ups are undoubtedly the children: children of broken marriages are more likely to turn to crime and subsequently to carry knives. Surely my hon. Friend agrees that we must do all that we can to enhance marriage.
§ Mr. EvansI am disappointed to learn that my hon. Friend has not been reassured to date. I look forward to ensuring that she is reassured during the months ahead. Let me also tell her that it is not the existence of legislation to deal with instances of marital breakdown that causes such breakdowns; sadly, marital breakdown is a fact of life in our society. I entirely agree with her about the effect on children. She will know that that has been one of my main interests since I have been in the House and before. It is very important that we recognise that perpetuating a system that is based on conflict does nothing in the circumstance to help the position of children.
§ Mr. BoatengThe Minister is welcome to his place. He has been bloodied by his friend the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Lady Olga Maitland). Let us hope that he is unbowed, at least on this issue. Will he give the House an assurance that the Family Law Bill has been properly costed and that there are funds available for a comprehensive mediation service? If such a service is not in place, we shall not be able to give families the support that they deserve and would have another example of the Government wishing the end without willing the means.
§ Mr. EvansI thank the hon. Gentleman for his welcome and I welcome him to the Dispatch Box.
The Family Law Bill rightly places an important emphasis on mediation, but it also does something that I hoped would be welcomed by the Opposition: it showsthat the Government have not set out the precise framework in which that mediation is to be offered. We are prepared to take that forward on a pilot basis. I reiterate that assurance to the House today.
§ Madam SpeakerThank you. We have made very poor progress in the past hour. I hope that, after Christmas, questions will be much brisker and exchanges much swifter across the Floor of the House. Progress today has not been very good at all.