§ 2.36 p.m.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps have been taken to ensure that law students from overseas Commonwealth States are receiving the requisite training in Great Britain to fit them for practice in a fused profession in their own countries.]
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (VISCOUNT KILMUIR)My Lords, the Council of Legal Education has taken steps, in the light of the recommendations contained in the Report of the Denning Committee, to improve the education given in the Inns of Court School of Law. In particular, the Council has, in conjunction with the Law Society, expanded the scope of the post-final practical training course given by the School so as to give more instruction in the work of solicitors, with a view to fitting Commonwealth students for practice in their own countries in the type of profession that is referred to by the noble Lord in his Question.
As I informed your Lordships last August, however, in answer to an earlier Question by the noble Lord, the main problem for the Council is shortage of accommodation for the School of Law. I am sorry to have to inform your Lordships that although the Council has, both independently and in consultation with my right honourable friend the Minister of Works, made numerous attempts to obtain additional accommo- 964 dation, these have so far failed. The Council has, however, a further project in mind which, if successful, would enable the Denning Report to be much more fully implemented than at present. As this is still in its early stages, however, I should prefer to say nothing more about it at present.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, while thanking the noble and learned Viscount for his reply, and while acknowledging his own personal interest in this matter, may I ask him whether he will continue to apply pressure, both to the Law Society and to the Benchers of the various Inns, in order that we may get some more action in this urgent and important matter?
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, I shall do my utmost to secure that the recommendations of the Denning Committee are implemented. This is a matter, as the noble Lord has been good enough to say, in which I feel very strongly, and I shall do everything I can.