§ 29. Mr. Steeleasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when it is proposed to bring into force Sections 5 and 7 of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartIt is not proposed for the present to bring these sections into force.
§ Mr. SteeleCould the Joint Under-Secretary tell us why not, and also why this Question is referred to him? Is he aware that I put the Question on the Order Paper to the Lord Advocate, as I was sure that the House was very anxious to know what the Lord Advocate had to say on the subject?
§ Mr. StewartI do not know the answer to the second part of the supplementary question. The reasons why we take this view now are probably the same as those that appealed to hon. and right hon. Gentlemen opposite when they introduced the Measure.
§ 30. Mr. Steeleasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the number of legal aid certificates which are being abandoned after they have been approved; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. Henderson StewartYes, Sir. My right hon. Friend is watching very carefully the operation of the legal aid scheme, but amending legislation is not proposed at present.
§ Mr. SteeleHas the Lord Advocate drawn the attention of the Secretary of State to the fact that 12.3 per cent. of the applications were abandoned? Could we have an assurance that the reasons why the applications were abandoned are examined, and can the Minister say now whether they were abandoned because even the financial obligation on the individual was too great?
§ Mr. StewartThe report of the Society, which, as the hon. Member knows, was issued the other day, did not make all the reasons clear. Some were suggested, but I do not think that we know all the reasons at this stage.
§ Mr. SteeleWill the hon. Gentleman have an examination made into the facts and find out?
§ Mr. StewartI will consider that.