HC Deb 02 November 1976 vol 918 cc556-7W
Mrs. Hayman

asked the Attorney-General what action he has taken to fulfil the commitment to introduce a system of family courts; and if he will make a statement.

The Attorney-General

Careful consideration was given to the possibility of introducing a system of family courts in the light of the recommendations of the Committee on One-Parent Families, the Finer Committee. My noble Friend reluctantly decided, however, that for the reasons stated by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services on 20th October 1975 there was no prospect of implementing these recommendations. In present financial circumstances there is no possibility of providing separate accommodation for family courts. There is a limit on the number of people with the necessary qualifications for appointment as circuit judges, and the continuing increase in criminal and civil business makes it impracticable to impose on them the additional demands of a system of family courts. Enactment of the legislation proposed by the Law Commission in its recent report on matrimonial proceedings in magistrates' courts would, however, improve the position by reforming the substantive law on the principles suggested by the Finer Committee.