HL Deb 25 January 1973 vol 338 cc378-80WA
LORD GARDINER

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the legislative prospects with regard to the following matters: Consumer Credit, Bankruptcy Law, Insurance Law, Hall-marking Law, the Burial Laws, the Report of the Payne Committee, the proposal for a Suitor's Fund, Administrative Law, Family Courts and the report of the Franks Committee on the Official Secrets Act.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD HAILSIIAM OF SAINT MARYLEBONE)

Consumer Credit: The Government accept that a basic reform of the law on consumer credit is warranted, and there will be no avoidable delay in bringing forward a Bill.

Bankruptcy Law: There is no likelihood of its being possible to introduce legislation this Session.

Insurance Law: A Bill has been introduced to-day which will provide stronger and more effective measures for the supervision of insurance companies with the object of preventing insolvencies.

Hall-marking Law: A Private Member's Bill on Hall-marking has been introduced into the House of Commons and the Motion for Second Reading is to be taken on 26th January.

Burial Laws: The Secretary of State for the Environment and the Law Commission are reviewing those parts of the burial law not reformed by the Local Government Act 1972.

The Report of the Payne Committee: A simplified procedure for the recovery of rent has been introduced, and the limit of indebtedness for administration orders has been raised from £500 to £1,000. It is unlikely that further major changes in County Court jurisdiction and procedure as recommended by the Committee will be undertaken in the near future.

The Proposal for a Suitor's Fund: The views of the Bar Council and the Law Society on the "Justice" recommendation published in 1969 that there should be a Suitor's Fund are expected shortly. Until these views have been obtained it would be premature for the Government to make any announcement.

Administrative Law: The Law Commission have received a large number of comments on their Working Paper, issued in October, 1971. The co-ordinated comments of Government Departments will be submitted as soon as possible. No further progress can be made until these are received.

Family Courts: The Working Party, of which the noble Lord is aware, are studying comments received on a preliminary Paper issued in February, 1972, with a view to producing a consultative document for circulation. I cannot, however, say when this will be published.

The Report of the Franks Committee on Official Secrets: The Report of the Departmental Committee on section 2 of the Official Secrets Act 1911 is being carefully studied, but the Government have not yet reached conclusions on it.

House adjourned at twenty-five minutes past nine o'clock.