asked the Attorney-General what is the nature, composition, terms of reference and time scale of the review being undertaken of proposals for a family court; and whether its terms of reference extend to a consideration of the nature of the court or tribunal which sentences young offenders.

A was announced by the Lord Chancellor's Department in July 1984, the terms of reference of the committee set up by the Lord Chancellor and the Home Secretary are as follows:

"To examine the feasibility of the establishmnt of a unified court for the exclusive exercise of jurisdiction in family and domestic matters below the level of the Court of Appeal, to identify the main options for such a court and to assess the resources implications of each of these options."

The committee consists of officials of the Lord Chancellor's Department, the Home Office, DHSS and the Treasury. They plan to issue a consultation paper describing possible options later this year. It is hoped that a final report will be made in 1986. The committee will consider whether and to what extent the present jurisdiction of the juvenile court might be included within a unified family court.