HL Deb 22 October 1985 vol 467 c1006

91 Schedule 6, page 63, line 31, at end insert—

("1A. In section 22(1) (secrecy), at the end of paragraph (b) add "; or

(c) for the purpose of facilitating the proper performance by any tribunal of functions under—

  1. (i) section 47 of the Solicitors Act 1974 (jurisdiction and powers of Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal) in connection with the making of such an order as is referred to in subsection (2A) or (2B) of that section, or
  2. (ii) any of sections 37 to 39 of the Administration of Justice Act 1985 (legal aid complaints against barristers or solicitors).".").

The Lord Chancellor

My Lords, this amendment ensures that the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and a Senate disciplinary tribunal will properly be able to have access, in determining a legal aid complaint, to information furnished for the purposes of Part I of the Legal Aid Act, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 22 of that Act relating to the secrecy of legal aid information. Without this amendment, Section 22 of the Legal Aid Act 1974 would prevent these tribunals from having access to all the information they might need to consider, since they would not be themselves tribunals established under the 1974 Act. This amendment ensures that they will be able to perform their duties properly. I beg to move that this House do agree with the Commons in the said amendment.

Moved, That this House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 91.—(The Lord Chancellor.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.