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Carter Review (Legal Aid)

Does my hon. Friend accept that there is another problem with the tendering process: one that relates to the subject of tenders? National Family Mediation claims that its work saves money for the state and is much more successful than court processes in trying to deal with family break-up. It has told me that because mediation will now often be subject to court action—that being the way in which the tendering process will operate—its valuable work is being pushed to the margins. The mediation agency in Gloucestershire is considering closure. I am sure that other hon. Members have received similar information.