Skip to main content

Proceeding contribution from Oliver Heald (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Monday, 5 March 2007. It occurred during Debate on bill on Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill [HL].


Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill [Lords]

That is exactly my point, Madam Deputy Speaker. To return to the exciting measure before us, the Opposition have some concerns about the Department for Constitutional Affairs. It is struggling to manage its current responsibilities for the courts system. The Magistrates Association recently felt compelled to write to the Prime Minister to complain about chaos in the magistrates courts. The senior county court judge in London has also been highly critical of the situation in county courts. As the Minister knows, there is concern over legal aid, and the Government are behind on their freedom of information cases and trying desperately to pull back using more restrictive rules. There is blistering criticism of the Department over electoral fraud. It is being suggested, however, that the DCA should take over not just tribunals but prisons, the probation service, the Privy Council Office and criminal justice policy. If those proposals were building on strength, one might say, ““That’ll be a challenge.”” But the Department is already failing in almost all the areas that it covers. Can the Minister assure us that the Department is up to the challenge of taking over the world in the way that seems to be suggested?


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
457 c1314-5 
Session
2006-07
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Consumers Administration of justice Bankruptcy Cultural heritage Credit Debt collection Fees and charges Enforcement Legal aid scheme Eligibility Judiciary Exemptions Harassment Powers of entry Public appointments Museums and galleries Property Proof of identity Tribunals Training Regulation Sequestration of assets Security Industry Authority
Legislation
Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill (HL) 2006-07
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk