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Legal Services Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 137ZZA: 137ZZA: Clause 141, page 74, line 5, leave out paragraph (b) and insert— ““(b) the need for the OLC to assist approved regulators in carrying out their regulatory functions, and for approved regulators to assist the persons within subsection (3) in carrying out their functions of investigating, considering and determining complaints under the ombudsman scheme.”” The noble Baroness said: This amendment would substitute the word ““need”” for ““desirability”” in Clause 141(5)(b), thereby strengthening the stipulation that the OLC should assist the front-line regulators in carrying out their jobs through the sharing of information. This two-way exchange of information between the OLC and approved regulators is absolutely essential if the two-tier regulatory regime set out in the Bill is to work effectively, and that is why the Solicitors Regulation Authority is strongly of the view that this change of wording is important. If front-line regulators are to protect consumers effectively and tackle particular risks within the regulatory system, a clear understanding of the nature of consumer complaints that the OLC is handling will be critical. The current drafting of Clause 141 already reflects movement in that the Government have clearly accepted the principle that this type of information-sharing is desirable. I therefore hope that the Minister will react positively to the amendment to ensure that the provision is given the weight that it merits. I beg to move.