HC Deb 20 December 2000 vol 360 cc241-2W
Sandra Gidley

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when she will publish the summary of the consultation on the Family Graduated Fees Scheme; and if he will make a statement. [143081]

Jane Kennedy

The general consultation period on the proposed rates, structure and draft regulations for the Family Graduated Fees Scheme formally ended on 22 September 2000. The consultation period was extended for the Bar Council and the Law Society until 12 October, at their request. Responses have been collated and analysed.

The Lord Chancellor and I are considering all the views and suggestions received from respondents and are re-examining all the issues in the light of the concerns raised. Once we have made final decisions on the structure of the scheme and the rates to be paid, a summary of the views of respondents and the Government's response to them will be published. It is intended that the scheme will now be implemented in the spring of 2001.