§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Attorney-General if the Lord Chancellor has any plans to set up a national conciliation service for couples who are about to separate or divorce; and if he will make a statement.
The Solicitor-Generalthe Government have set up a committee of officials to advise Ministers on the nature and scope of conciliation services, and particularly whether they can produce savings and other benefits to the individuals concerned and public resources. This committee will comprise representatives from the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Home Office, the Treasury, the Department of Health and Social Security and the Central Policy Review Staff. The precise terms of reference are being settled.
The Government will not wish to take any decision until the committee has reported to Ministers. This, it is hoped, will be before the end of January 1983. No decision has yet been taken on the question of publishing the committee's report.