Liberal Democrat Member of the European
Parliament for Yorkshire and the Humber
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Diana Wallis Liberal Democrat Member of the European Parliament for Yorkshire and the Humber |
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| Oral Question - Professional Fees 05/04/2001 |
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Oral questions on set fees for certain liberal professions, in particular lawyers. Diana WALLIS - I should first declare an interest in this matter, as a member of a liberal profession to whom this question applies. Having been a lawyer of 18 years standing, still with a practising certificate and a continuing consultant to my old firm - although I no longer undertake client work. It has been a week in this Parliament where we have been lobbied hard by lawyer's organisations supporting their professional position. In contrast last week in the UK we saw the publication of a report by the Office of fair trading looking at Competition in the professions - just the issue we are debating today. That report sets out with two premises: First that the professions are entrusted with the delivery of services of considerable public importance; but second, that any restriction on the supply of professional services will tend to drive up costs and prices, and will limit consumer access and choice. This is my group's interest in respect of the amendments we have tabled. Yes the liberal professions have a special position in society but that position and the serivces they offer can only been enhanced by more competition and independent scrutiny. Let me give you two examples. I was always taught that the way we expanded our practice was by doing a good job for our clients, so that they continued to recommend us - that basic principle holds good. But what about price - should this be regulated? Solicitors used to have a monopoly of conveyancing the buying and selling of land. Competiton was introduced allowing licensed conveyancers to do this work - it drove down prices, not standards. The other week I had to vary the lease of my office, I was bound to use my landlords solicitors, to set up the original lease they charged 300 pounds now to vary a couple of words in the self same document they proposed to charge 500 pounds - licensed robbery! They rely on not being challenged! Secondly a constituent recently came to me with a history of a dispute over the last 15 years that had taken him through 5 law firms and ruined his business and family life, about a business debt that was acknowledged in writing. He had had no help from solicitor's complaints body. These examples do no professions any service and they are not so isolated that they can be ignored, yes professional standards imposed by the professions are necessary but they can be further enhanced by competition and external scrutiny. Please support the amendments. |
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