§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Attorney-General what progress has been made in setting up a conciliation project unit to monitor the costs and effectiveness of conciliation services; and whether Her Majesty's Government are continuing to fund the Bristol family courts' conciliation scheme.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Lord Chancellor announced on 8 February that he had selected a team from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne to be the conciliation project unit. It will begin work in September.
The Lord Chancellor is continuing to provide funding for the Bristol courts family conciliation service on an interim basis until the unit is in a position to decide whether or not to select that service as one of the schemes it wishes to monitor.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Attorney-General how many representations he has received, and from what sources, on setting up family courts; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralMany such representations have been received from interested individuals and bodies including the Law Society, the Magistrates' Association, the British Association of Social Workers, the Association of County Councils and others. I would also refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Knowsley, North (Mr. Kilroy-Silk) on 4 April, at column 716.