§ 30. Mr. MullinWhat assessment he has made of the advantages of phasing out QCs; and if he will make a statement. [28098]
§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (Mr. Geoffrey Hoon)My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor has no plans at present to phase out Queen's Counsel.
§ Mr. MullinWhat is the purpose of QCs, except as a device for perpetuating restrictive practices and artificially inflating fees?
§ Mr. HoonLike my hon. Friend, I have the advantage of having recently read a publication called "Silk Cut: Are Queen's Counsel Necessary?". Chapter 7 considers a number of reform possibilities, and chapter 8 advocates outright abolition. I am sure that the Lord Chancellor would welcome hon. Members' views on whether any of the possibilities should be implemented.
§ Mr. Ian BruceSurely what must worry the House is the attempt to phase out the most distinguished QC, namely the Lord Chancellor. Is it not strange that three Ministers who are patrons of an organisation called PressWise should write to hon. Members today to back up the Lord Chancellor in his bid to ensure that the issue of privacy goes before the courts, and that we pass the Human Rights Bill with its provision to control the press? Will the Minister back up his boss by retaining this matter in the Lord Chancellor's Department?
§ Mr. HoonI would be delighted to try to answer the hon. Gentleman's question, but, as I am sure he realises, his supplementary has nothing to do with the main question, or indeed with the Department in which I am a Minister.