HL Deb 14 February 1973 vol 338 cc1544-5

2.57 p.m.

LORD GARDINER

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they accept all, or some and, if so, which of the recommendations contained in the Interim Report of the Advisory Committee on Legal Aid and Advice.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, all the recommendations in the Interim Report of the Advisory Committee on Legal Aid and Advice, which was published on February 6, are still under consideration.

LORD GARDINER

My Lords, while thanking the noble and learned Lord for that Answer, may I ask him whether he is aware that in paragraph 3 of the Report the Committee say: We think it urgently necessary to inform your Lordship of our conclusions on income limits … if your Lordship accepts our recommendations, we regard it as essential that the revised income limits should come into operation at the same time as the introduction of Part I of the Legal Advice and Assistance Act 1972. May I ask the noble and learned Lord whether that date is not April 2, and therefore if the recommendation of the Committee is to be accepted, would it not be necessary to bring a Statutory Instrument into force next month?

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

I think the answer to the whole of that question is, Yes, my Lords.