§ 40. Mr. Manningham-Bullerasked the Attorney-General the number of cases in which aid was given under the Legal Aid and Advice Act, 1949, in the period 1st April, 1950, to 31st March, 1951.
§ The Attorney-GeneralFifteen thousand two hundred and nineteen.
§ 41. Mr. Manningham-Bullerasked the Attorney-General when he expects that the statement of accounts of the Legal Aid Fund for the period 1st April, 1950, to 31st March, 1951, will be laid before Parliament.
§ The Attorney-GeneralUnder the provisions of Section 10 of the Legal Aid and Advice Act, the statement of accounts of the Legal Aid Fund is required to be laid before Parliament by the Comptroller and Auditor-General together with his report upon it. The Comptroller and Auditor General receives the account from my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor after its audit by his auditors and with their report. These auditors are now engaged upon their audit and I cannot say, at this stage, when their and the Comptroller and Auditor-General's examinations will be completed and the account laid before Parliament.
§ Mr. Manningham-BullerIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the accounts for the period ending March, 1950, only related to initial expenses and were not made public to the Members of the House until May, 1951? Can he hold out any hope that there will be less delay in the future?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI am quite sure that they will be laid before the House as soon as it is reasonably possible to do so. They have not been laid yet for the reasons I have given.
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanCan my right hon. and learned Friend say whether the accounts, when they are published, will give the information that was asked for in Question No. 35? Is he aware that there is a growing feeling in the profession that the amount of assessed contribution is altogether too high, and that the usefulness of the service is being depreciated by that fact?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThat does not arise out of the Question I have answered.