§ 2.45 p.m.
§ Lord Hackingasked Her Majesty's Government:
§ Whether they intend to introduce an arbitration Bill in the current Session.
§ Lord CheshamMy Lords, it is our intention to introduce this Bill in this place before the Christmas Recess.
§ Lord HackingMy Lords, I am delighted by my noble friend's Answer, a delight which will be shared by the arbitration community in London. It is a long time since those heady days of 1978 and 1979 when the Labour Government of the day brought so quickly to the statute book the first stage in arbitration reform. Will my noble friend kindly join me in tribute and praise; tribute to all those who participated in the creation of this Bill, the initiative of Mr. Arthur Marriott and his group who actually drafted the original copy for the Bill, and all those who have participated since? As for praise, I ask my noble friend to agree that the Bill is a marvellous example of clarity and simplicity. Perhaps there is benefit—
§ Lord HackingMy Lords, will my noble friend agree that there is benefit in involving the private sector more in the drafting of our parliamentary legislation?
§ Lord CheshamMy Lords, I am delighted to join my noble friend in the praise he has given.
§ Lord PestonMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that I too approve of the fact that the Bill will be presented to your Lordships in the near future? However, can he explain something which has troubled me ever since I heard about this matter? How is it that the Department of Trade and Industry has been given the pleasure of dealing with this matter? As I understand it, this is big business for lawyers and not for anybody else. I shall be 1164 stuck with the Bill. Is there some explanation why the noble Lord's department will be dealing with the matter?
§ Lord CheshamMy Lords, the answer is simple. We felt that the House and the Bill would benefit from the expertise of the noble Lord, Lord Peston.
§ Lord PestonMy Lords, I planted the question only in order to receive that answer. Can we assume that, when the Bill comes before us and we debate it we shall be able to discuss the economic and industry aspects of it, and that it will not be dealt with as a narrowly contained legal matter? There are broader issues that would interest other Peers, and I hope the Government will respond to those interests.
§ Lord CheshamMy Lords, my answer would have to be yes.