Law Commission Reports (Hansard, 24 June 1998)

§ Lord Williams of Mostyn

We very much value the work done by the Law Commission and welcome the close working relationship between the Commission and the department. The Home Office has the responsibility for considering the Law Commission's reports on the criminal law, although other departments often have an interest in their proposals. Law Commission reports are normally considered by an interdepartmental working group of officials representing all the interested departments. The Law Commission plays a valuable role in assisting and advising these working groups.

The consultation paper Violence: Reforming the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, which described the Government's proposals for reform based on the Law Commission's recommendations in their report Offences Against the Person and General Principles (LC 218), was issued in February. This was based on the work of an interdepartmental working group on which the Law Commission was represented. The Law Commission reports on Involuntary Manslaughter (LC 239) and Corruption (LC 248) are currently under consideration by similar interdepartmental working groups which include the Law Commission. The Criminal Law Commissioner is also advising an Interdepartmental Working Group considering the Misuse of Public Office.

The Law Commission's work on Hearsay also contributed to the work of the Vulnerable and Intimidated Witnesses Group, which recommended that 21WA an interdepartmental working group be set up to consider the Law Commission's report on Hearsay (LC 245) in the broader context, taking account of the discussion in the report Speaking Up For Justice. This working group will commence work shortly and will have the benefit of Law Commission membership.