§ 33. Mr. Andrew Dismore (Hendon)If he will make a statement on progress with the Office of Fair Trading report with reference to the Queen's counsel system. [41546]
§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (Mr. Michael Wills)The appointment of Queen's counsel is one of a number of issues relating to 161 the legal profession raised in the OFT report that fall to my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor to consider. We will consult shortly on the issues raised.
§ Mr. Dismore>I remind my hon. Friend that the OFT report questioned
whether…it was right for the Government to have responsibility for conferring on selected practitioners…a title that manifestly enhances their earning power and competitive position",stated:There remain concerns…that there is no continuous quality appraisal…inadequate peer review…and…no professional examinations",and concluded:it is questionable what the value of the system is to consumers.We do not have Queen's plumbers, Queen's electricians, or even Queen's metalworkers. How can there be any justification for the anti-competitive, price-rigging cartel which is the Queen's counsel system? My hon. Friend promised the consultation many months ago, but nothing has happened. It is about time we had some action to end that appalling practice.
§ Mr. WillsAs always, my hon. Friend states his views with great eloquence and force. As he is well aware, those matters raise complex issues of law, which have taken time to consider. We will make an announcement shortly about the process of consultation on action in respect of those matters.