§ 11.21 a.m.
§ Lord SudeleyMy 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, in the light of the recent recommendations of the Law Commission regarding the position of illegitimate children, whether the circumstances relating to the paternity of a child disclosed in the application for a Personal Bill by Mr. Garry Jackson dealt with by the Personal Bills Committee of this House on the 16th February 1982 require further consideration.
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone)My Lords, the Law Commission's recommendations on illegitimacy would not assist Mr. Jackson in the circumstances disclosed in his Petition. The Law Commission propose a procedure for obtaining a declaration of paternity as to the applicant's parentage. Mr. Jackson's claim was for a declaration in his own favour that he was entitled to a declaration of his own paternity in respect of a child, in a case where the issue had been determined against him in a court of first instance and the Court of Appeal had dismissed his appeal on the ground of want of jurisdiction.
§ Lord SudeleyMy Lords, I thank the noble and learned Lord for that reply. Taking into account the original proposals to the Law Commission in this connection, may I ask the noble and learned Lord whether he might review his decision if I submit certain papers to him on such a matter, on the basis that if a Bill were tabled before the House the matter, as such, reviewed by the Law Commission would be fully debated in this House with a view to certain and general legislation on the issues involved?
§ The Lord ChancellorMy Lords, if a Bill is tabled before this House and I am still Lord Chancellor, I suppose I shall be called upon to answer it.