Legal Services Bill [HL]

My Lords, I have a question for the Minister. I was about to say ““my noble friend””, but in spirit I feel that I can still put the question in that form. I am sure that it would be of great importance to noble Lords, if their opinion is to be sought on this matter, to know whether—I do not ask for a commitment while the Minister is on her feet—it would be possible to consider such an amendment if it had not been framed in quite the terms that it was. In view of all the points that have been made about the independence of the Bar, with which I agree, and about other matters relating to the Lord Chief Justice’s special position in our constitution, might consideration be given at a later stage to the appointment being made after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice?