Legal Services Bill [HL]

My Lords, I am delighted that the noble Lord awaits my response with eagerness and anticipation, but I am not entirely convinced that I will convince him of my argument. Let me describe the general context of Amendment No. 38, which we have discussed. It is absolutely right to say that I took the amendment away and considered the principle behind it, although I did not accept the amendment on the day on which we discussed it because it would have ensured that the Bill afforded consumers and the professions equal treatment. I think that noble Lords broadly accepted that putting in a consumer panel recognised that there was no coherent body representing consumers that would have the necessary force in the legislation but that there were organisations in the professions that had that coherent voice. I took it away to consult officials and we went through the Bill. Having done so, I contend that the Bill affords, in equal weight, opportunities for the professions to have their voices heard, either because they are, as noble Lords know, well organised, well funded and very well established bodies, conversant in the art of putting forward their views; or, indeed, because the legislation itself requires that they are consulted at various points. It is not that I do not accept the principle behind what I said, but we believe that the Bill already does it. Noble Lords may disagree with that; that is for noble Lords to determine. There is nothing behind the scenes, as such. On examination, it was our view that we had achieved what was wanted. That is why I have not brought forward another amendment.