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Civil Procedure (Amendment No. 2) Rules 2009

My Lords, I thank the Minister for giving that detailed explanation of what is in the two instruments. I listened to what he had to say with great care. I have also read what his colleague said in the Commons when these instruments went through last week. I looked at the questions that my honourable friend Mr Bellingham and others put to the Government on that occasion. Most of those queries have been answered, so I shall repeat only one question on behalf of my honourable friend. He asked, "““why the rules are so far-reaching that they allow proceedings to be carried on with and determined without a hearing taking place at all?””.—[Official Report, Commons, Eleventh Delegated Legislation Committee, 21/1/09; col. 6.]" Perhaps the Minister could give an explanation in advance of his honourable friend writing to my honourable friend. That would be useful. Other than that, I can confirm that we believe that these are non-controversial.