§ 2. Mr. Lewisasked the Attorney-General whether he is now in a position to give information concerning the Government's proposals to extend the Free Legal Aid Scheme to cover cases arising from actions taken under the Housing Repairs and Rents Bill; and whether he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-General (Sir Lionel Heald)No, Sir.
§ Mr. LewisAs there are many poor people, particularly old-age pensioners, who still find great difficulty in getting legal assistance, will not the right hon. and learned Gentleman at least promise to help them to get legal aid so that they can contest the provisions of the pernicious Housing Repairs and Rents Bill?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI can assure the hon. Gentleman that this point is very much in mind.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI should like to see this service given as much as the hon. Member would but, as he knows, it is only one of many services for which money is being pressed for at the moment, and the question of priority has to be considered.
§ Mr. E. FletcherDoes the Attorney-General's original answer mean that the Government have decided not to introduce the Free Legal Aid Scheme in time to benefit the thousands of poor persons who want advice about the Housing Repairs and Rents Bill?
§ The Attorney-GeneralMy answer meant what it said, No, Sir.