§ 96. Mr. FRANCIS MEEHANasked whether, seeing that in the case of prisoners being tried under the Criminal Law they are supplied with counsel to defend them, except under certain conditions, he will state these conditions and take the necessary steps to amend the law in relation to the defence of all prisoners, regardless of class, position, or means?
§ Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITHThe Poor Prisoners Defence Act, 1903, lays down the conditions on which legal assistance may be provided for poor prisoners at the public cost. The Act appears to work satisfactorily, and I am not aware of any ground for proposing new legislation.