§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have consulted about their proposals to abolish the office of Lord Chancellor and the judicial functions of the House of Lords and the functions of the House of Lords; and if so; with whom. [HL3419]
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)A consultation paperConstitutional Reform: a Supreme Court for the United Kingdom was published on 14 July. Consultation will run until 7 November. A Select Committee of the House of Lords will consider the future of Speakership of the House of Lords. I will be publishing a consultation document in September setting out the issues to be addressed in relation to the roles of the Lord Chancellor that do not relate to the Speakership, his functions as departmental Minister or his judicial capacity.
§ Lord Eltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 8 July (WA 21), whether they will list individually the "wide range of powers, duties and privileges which have been conferred over time" on the Lord Chancellor and the means by which each can be alienated from the holder of that office. [HL3938]
§ The Lord ChancellorI will be publishing a consultation document on the office of Lord Chancellor in September which is intended to address such issues.
§ Lord Eltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 8 July (WA 21), whether, if the word "important" were deleted from the sentence "None of the important powers, duties or privileges of the Lord Chancellor has been alienated since 30 January", the statement would still be true. [HL3939]
§ The Lord ChancellorNone of the powers, duties and privileges of the Lord Chancellor has been alienated since 30 January. However, there has been a minor transfer from the Lord Chancellor to Scottish Ministers of the commencement of certain provisions which amend the Taxes Management Act 1970 as regards Scotland. In addition, a transfer of functions order under the Ministers of the Crown Act was made at the Privy Council meeting on 17 July. This order transfers from the Lord Chancellor to the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs certain of the Lord Chancellor's principal ministerial responsibilities. It will come into force next month.