§ 15. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Attorney-General if he has received the detailed scheme for giving legal advice and for the giving of legal aid in civil proceedings prepared by the Law Society on the lines recommended in the Report of the Committee on Legal Aid and Legal Advice in England and Wales; when he expects to receive it; and if he intends to make it available to Members of this House.
§ The Attorney-General (Sir Hartley Shawcross)I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. 374 Member for the Park Division of Sheffield (Mr. Burden) on 31st May. I then said that the Law Society were preparing detailed estimates of the probable cost of working their scheme. My noble Friend has today received some estimates from the Law Society, and until they have been examined I am unable to say whether the Law Society's scheme is now complete. The question of presenting the scheme to Parliament cannot be decided until the scheme has been considered by the Government.
§ Mr. JannerCan the learned Attorney-General say how long it is likely to be before this scheme comes into operation, as there is considerable need for it?
§ The Attorney-GeneralAt a time when the Government are faced with many vital and urgent matters, first things have to come first, but we do appreciate the great importance of this matter.