Probate: Delays

Lord Tomlinson Excerpts

Wednesday 12th June 2019 Lords Chamber

[Lord Keen of Elie]

My Lords, I have already explained the reasons for the delays in March of this year with regard to the processing of probate applications, which were not related to the fees or the proposed new fees in respect of probate. In so far as there is any cost plus fee being charged for probate, that cost would be attributed to other court services provided by this department.

[Lord Tomlinson (Lab)]

My Lords, as the noble and learned Lord does not appear to like the word profit, can he tell us how much of the surplus was made available for distribution to other aspects of the justice system?

[Lord Keen of Elie]

My Lords, I am very content with the word profit, but it should be used in the proper context—that was the point I was seeking to make. As we have not yet applied the fee increases, there is no issue of a surplus at the present time.

Probation: Voluntary Sector

Lord Tomlinson Excerpts

Wednesday 5th June 2019 Lords Chamber

[Lord Keen of Elie]

My Lords, our plans regarding this matter are more developed in respect of Wales, where the model was originally considered. We are looking to transfer offender management functions from the community rehabilitation companies to the National Probation Service before the end of 2019 in Wales. Beyond that, it will go into 2020. That is the sort of timescale we will have in mind when it comes to the position of further probation reports.

[Lord Tomlinson (Lab)]

My Lords, a few minutes ago, the Minister referred to the great successes of this mixed-market model. Can he help people such as me by giving a couple of examples of these great successes? Can he then explain why it has been so necessary to introduce such proposals for major reform?

Brexit: Powers of EU-UK Joint Committee

Lord Tomlinson Excerpts

Wednesday 20th March 2019 Lords Chamber

[Lord Keen of Elie]

My Lords, the Government as an entity do not read—and do not read the Daily Telegraph.

[Lord Tomlinson (Lab)]

My Lords, the noble and learned Lord said earlier that the Government always seek to follow the mandate from Parliament. Can he explain what the Prime Minister meant in her letter to Donald Tusk when she said:

“However, it remains my intention to bring the deal back to the House”?

[Lord Keen of Elie]

It means that her intention is to bring the deal back to the other place.