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Written Answers
4 MARCH 1992
Mr. Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department. pursuant to his answer of 18 February, Official report, column 93, whom his Department intends to consult on the proposal for a European Community regulation on the statute for a European association; and when he intends to undertake the consultation.
Mr. Kenneth Baker: We will seek views from the main bodies representing the interests of the voluntary and charitable sectors and will take account of comments from any interested parties. Consultations will begin once the text of the statute has been formally communicated to us.
Hong Kong
Sir John Wheeler: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the governor of Hong Kong has yet submitted his first report on the discharge of his functions under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990.
Mr. Kenneth Baker: The Governor of Hong Kong submitted his report to me on 3 February 1992. A has
copy been placed in the Library.
THE ARTS
Libraries
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interdepartmental working party to oversee a rolling programme of work directed at improving family law and business. Its terms of reference were particularly directed towards the implementation and operation of the Children Bill. That legislation is now in operation, and my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor has decided that the working party's terms of reference should be amended to the following:
The Working Party shall oversee a programme of work directed at improving all aspects of family law and business. In particular, it shall:
(a) oversee, co-ordinate and monitor progress of the review of the family justice system set out below; (b) report to and advise the Lord Chancellor, the Home Secretary, the Secretaries of State for Health and Social Security, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and other interested Ministers on that review; and (c) assess and monitor the resources implications.
Review of the family justice system
Responsible Departments shall consider and formulate advice on:
HKD 340./2
Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Minister for the Arts how many county councils have cut library opening times since 1979.
Mr. Renton: This information is not available. However, the number of libraries open in English counties for over 10 hours a week has increased in the last 10 years by 3.6 per cent. and those open for 10 to 44 hours a week have increased by 4-3 per cent. in some cases, opening hours have been changed to reflect changing needs and also to make better use of resources.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Legal Aid
Mr. Fraser: To ask the Attorney-General what he expects to be the net expenditure on legal aid and advice in the current financial year and the next two financial years, in cash terms and at 1991-92 prices.
The Attorney-General: Legal aid expenditure for 1991-92, excluding administration, is expected to be around £900 million net. The current provisions for 1992-93 and 1993-94 are £857 million and £885 million respectively, although, in view of the statutory demand-led nature of the fund, additional funds may be requested as necessary. These figures are expressed in cash terms as the legal aid fund is not calculated in constant price figures.
Family Law
Mr. Carrington: To ask the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the Government's programme for the reform of family law.
The Attorney-General: During the passage of the Children Bill my right hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor-General announced the establishment of an
(a) the reform of divorce law and practice, including any part which might be played by conciliation and mediation services and how they might be organised and funded:
(b) the reform of the law governing civil remedies for domestic violence and rights to occupy the family home;
(c) the functions and organisations of the support
services in family proceedings;
(d) the reform of adoption law;
(e) the extension of the concurrent jurisdiction of the Magistrates' and county courts and the High Court under the Children Act 1989 to other family proceedings;
(f) the rules governing access to and the reporting of
family proceedings;
(g) the rules governing financial and property division
on family breakdown;
(h) the law relating to the care and upbringing of children and in particular the future role of wardship, and any matters arising from the operation of the Children Act 1989;
(i) such other reforms of family law as seem appropriate and in particular necessary to the creation of a unified jurisdiction; and;
(j) such other changes in the rules of evidence and procedure as seem desirable to ensure uniform and appropriate means of dealing with family business in all levels of court.
TRANSPORT
East London River Crossing
Mr. Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider moving the approach road to the east London river crossing from the A2 further to the east to avoid Oxleas wood.
Mr. Chope: The alignment of the road was thoroughly considered at very lengthy public inquiries in 1985-86 and before the then Secretaries of State took their decision in 1988. There are no grounds for re-considering that decision.
Mr. Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if a cut and cover road tunnel south from Shooters Hill to the A2 in Eltham would require land outside the existing orders.
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