§ Mr. BoatengTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to publish and to implement new rules governing the conduct of multi-party actions in the English courts.
Mr. John M. TaylorMy Department is fully aware of the problems arising in multi-party actions and we are considering whether, and in what way, they might be mitigated by amendments to court rules and procedures. Any proposals for change will be put out to public consultation in the usual way.
§ Mr. BoatengTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has of the cost to the legal aid budget over the last five years of multi-party actions that(a) have come to trial and (b) have not come to trial.
Mr. John M. TaylorThe information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.