§ 2.35 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 progress is being made with the plans for the common education of students intending to practise either as barristers or as solicitors either in this country or overseas.]
§ THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD DILHORNE)My Lords, as my predecessor, the noble Earl, Lord Kilmuir, informed your Lordships on July 18, 1961, Her Majesty's Government have no responsibility for legal education in this country or overseas. I am, however, able to tell your Lordships that discussions are at present taking place on this matter between the Council of Legal Education and the Law Society. Representatives of the Bar Council are also associated with those discussions. I cannot speculate on their outcome, but I am hopeful that progress will be made.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, in thanking the noble and learned Lord for that Answer, may I join him in hoping that progress will be made, and may I ask him to do anything that may lie in his power in order to speed that progress?