HC Deb 28 November 1996 vol 286 cc326-7W
Mr. Leigh

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list those prescribed circumstances which he proposes should apply in order for a party not to be required to attend an information meeting under section 8(2) of the Family Law Act 1996 indicating the qualifications necessary to be an information provider and the probable locations of information meetings. [5683]

Mr. Streeter

In accordance with section 8(10) of the Act, the Department is currently consulting on the provision of information.

Mr. Leigh

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what conditions are to be applied by the Department in exercising the power to make grants under section 22(1)(a) of the Family Law Act 1996; if marriage support organisations with a Christian ethos are able to secure grants under this section; and what arrangements have been made for organisations to make applications for funding under this section. [5682]

Mr. Streeter

The Lord Chancellor announced on 6 November that he was inviting tenders for a programme of pilot projects in order to identify types of service with particular potential for reducing the incidence of marriage breakdown and its consequent cost. The Department's standard conditions of contract will apply to the programme. All bids which meet the contract conditions will be evaluated on merit. Marriage support organisations of any religious affiliation, or none, will be eligible for funding. The closing date for submission of bids is 17 January 1997.

Mr. Leigh

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress has been made on the drafting of rules, orders or regulations to accompany the Family Law Act 1996; what consultation he proposes and with which organisations; and what is the proposed timetable for the laying of the relevant statutory instruments before the House. [5681]

Mr. Streeter

It is the Government's intention to implement part IV of the Family Law Act 1996 in October 1997; work has begun towards implementation of all other parts of the Act. Preliminary consultation on the court structure for part IV has already taken place with a range of interested organisations and further consultation is scheduled over the next few months. It is too early to compile a proposed timetable for laying the relevant instruments before the House.