Legal Services Bill [HL]

My Lords, I support my noble friend’s amendment, but again, acceptingall the reasons that he has given, for another reason. It is absolutely crucial that the standing of the legal profession should be independent of government and seen to be independent of government. That is strictly related to the merits of this amendment. I do not want to take up the time of the House because surely it is obvious that here we are concerned with a matter of public interest. The service’s exports are worth more than £2 billion a year. The amendment is relevant to quality and the standing of the profession. It would act as a safeguard. Anyone can say, ““Oh, it is nothing to do with a Minister of State. This is a matter for Parliament””.