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Mrs. Ewing: Will the Minister give way?

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: I have only a few moments left in which to speak, and I have already given way twice to the hon. Lady.

I hope that what I have said offers some reassurance to hon. Members, including my hon. Friend the Member for Eastwood. The main good news tonight will be the success of the applications for section 10 grant from Dumfries and Galloway and from Grampian. As for the longer term, I must stress again that we have under active consideration the future place of family mediation, both in relation to legal aid and in relation to family law generally. We shall of course consult widely on any new proposals, and I can tell all hon. Members who have been public-spirited enough to attend this important debate that they--along with interested organisations including Family Mediation Scotland--will be able to influence the outcome. I look forward to hearing their representations in due course, and I thank them for their welcome for the extra steps that we have taken.

Question put and agreed to.

Adjourned accordingly at fourteen minutes to Eleven o'clock.

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