§ Viscount Hanworthasked the Chairman of Committees:
Whether he considers that separate hearings in each House of Parliament for private Bills is a justified expense; and if not, whether he will seek gradually to change the procedure so that, without barrister's interests being unduly harmed, better value for money is achieved.
§ The Chairman of Committees (Lord Boston of Faversham)I have nothing to add to the reply which my predecessor gave to the noble Lord on 13 May 1992; namely, that there are arguments for and against joint committees and that these are examined in paragraphs 133–142 of the report of the Joint Committee on Private Bill Procedure, H.L. Paper 97, Session 1987–88. In the absence of general agreement, it would not be right to change the existing practice, although there might from time to time be opportunities for joint committees on particular Bills.