§ Mr. Palmerasked the Attorney-General (1) if steps are to be taken to carry out the recommendations of the Legal Education Committee, Cmd. 4663, 1934;
(2) if the committee appointed by the Lord Chancellor's Department, in May, 1938, to consider the proposed Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, has reported.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe recommendations contained in the Report of the Legal Education Committee fell under two main heads (1) in Part A thereof, that a Standing Advisory Committee be set up to perform the functions enumerated in paragraph 21 of the Report, and (2) in190W Part B, that a Committee be set up to consider the proposal for an Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. As respects the recommendation in Part A, the functions enumerated in paragraph 21 are being satisfactorily performed by the Council of Legal Education in relation to the Bar examinations and by the Council of the Law Society in relation to examinations for solicitors. These two Councils are in a position to maintain liaison with the Law Faculties of the Universities on the subjects to be taken at professional examinations and the courses of study involved, and to co-ordinate the teaching of particular subjects. The Councils advise on the exemptions for professional examinations to be attained by students who have Qualified in University examinations and they are also available for consultation by Government Departments or official committees interested in legal education, and for advising generally in such matters. In the circumstances no useful purpose would be served by setting up an Advisory Committee.
The recommendation in Part B of the Report was implemented by the appointment in 1938 of the Committee to which the hon. Member refers in his second Question. This Committee has not reported. It suspended proceedings in February, 1940, and has not yet resumed operations, having regard to the urgent need for reconstructive activities in other (Erections and to the Government's legislative programme, the time is inappropriate for the resumption of the Committee's operations or the setting up of an Institute of Advanced Legal Studies should such a course be recommended.