Written Answers
Civil Justice Review
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are in a position to make a further statement about a review of civil procedure.
I have decided to set up an inquiry, to be called the Civil Justice Review. The purpose of the review is to improve the machinery of civil justice in England and Wales by means of reforms in jurisdiction, procedure and court administration, and in particular to reduce delay, cost and complexity.The review will examine in turn the arrangements for each of the main classes of civil business, including personal injuries, small claims, debt, housing and commercial cases. It will not in the first instance address family business, which is the subject of separate studies.I shall direct the review and will be assisted by factual studies commissioned from outside consultants. I have also set up an independent committee, whose terms of reference are:
"To advise the Lord Chancellor and his officials on matters arising in the course of the conduct by him of a general review of civil justice."
The Chairman is Sir Maurice Hodgson—Chairman, British Home Stores
The other members are:—
Sir Kenneth Bond—Deputy Managing Director, General Electric Company
Mrs. Gillian Borne—National Association of Citizens' Advice Bureaux
The Right Honourable Lord Justice Griffiths, MC Peter Jacques, Esq.—Social Insurance and Industrial Welfare Dept., TUC
Bob Kerr, Esq.—Personal Insurances Manager, Guardian Royal Exchange
Rodger Pannone, Esq.—Solicitor
Mark Potter, Esq. QC
Professor Ian Scott—Barber Professor of Law, University of Birmingham
Richard Thomas, Esq.—Solicitor, National Consumer Council
I intend that each class of civil business be considered in a three-stage process: first, a factual study of the progress of cases through the courts, in order to establish the time taken, the cost incurred at various stages and the factors that significantly affect progress; secondly, consultation on the basis of a published document analysing the results of the factual study and outlining proposals for change; and, thirdly, ministerial decisions, to be followed by legislation and implementation.
Work on personal injuries will start immediately so as to enable policy decisions to be made by the end of 1986; work on the other areas of business will be progressively instituted with a view to reaching decisions by the end of 1987.
As the pattern of information from the factual studies becomes clearer, the review will also address itself to more general matters, including the structure of the courts and the distribution of business between them; the adequacy of the procedural rules and practices that govern the conduct of proceedings; and the question whether the court should involve itself more actively in the conduct of cases in order to speed up progress. Account will be taken of developments in jurisdictions outside England and Wales. The review will concentrate mainly on the work of the courts, but the study of housing cases will include those dealt with by tribunals.
Offender Reparation To Victim Schemes: Grant Aid
asked Her Majesty's Government:What grants they intend to make to reparation and mediation projects in respect of an offender and his victim.
We believe that direct reparation by an offender to his victim has a useful role to play in the criminal justice system. To promote the idea, and to help in appraising how it might usefully be developed, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary decided last year that we should fund some experimental schemes. We have now offered grants, totalling about £100,000 a year for two years, to four projects, proposed by the Crypt Association, Wolverhampton and the Cumbria, West Midlands and West Yorkshire Probation Services.The Cumbria scheme aims to divert juveniles from prosecution where reparation to the victim is agreed and made. The others envisage reparation by a convicted adult offender which would be associated with an order of the court. In all cases the victim's consent will be an essential condition of his or her participation. Since the schemes will be experimental, grants will be paid for two years only. The precise sums to be paid to each scheme will depend upon the terms and conditions agreed following discussions with the Home Office.We are aware that a great deal of interest in promoting reparation is being shown in different parts of the country and that work is being done or proposed independently of Home Office funding. We have received many worthwhile proposals which we have been unable to fund, but we hope that the Government's support for these schemes will serve to encourage others.
Nature Conservation In Scotland: Qualified Staff
asked Her Majesty's Government:How many people with academic qualifications in countryside or nature conservation or ecology were employed by the following organisations in 1970, and how many are currently employed by them:
Consistent information to answer this question could only be produced at disproportionate cost.
Sizewell Inquiry
asked Her Majesty's Government:When they expect hearings at the Sizewell inquiry to finish, when they expect to receive the report of the inquiry, what has been the cost so far, and what they expect the total cost to be.
Questions relating to the closing date of the inquiry and the length of the report writing period are matters for the inspector. Costs up to 31st December, 1984 falling to my department were some £445,000. Other costs incurred to the same date in running the inquiry and recoverable from the CEGB by agreement with the board total approximately £1,696,000. Costs incurred by parties to the inquiry, including the CEGB's own costs, are a matter for them and are not included in this total.