LEGAL AID (Hansard, 8 April 1957)

§ 36. Mr. E. Fletcher
asked the Attorney-General if he will now initiate legislation to modify the rules under which contributions are assessed on persons obtaining certificates of legal aid.

§ The Attorney-General (Sir Reginald Manningham-Buller)
No.

§ Mr. Fletcher
In view of that most unsatisfactory answer, may I—

§ Mr. Lipton
Raise it on the Adjournment—

§ Mr. Fletcher
—ask the Attorney-General whether he is convinced that the operation—

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. Did the hon. Gentleman say that he was going to raise the matter on the Adjournment?

§ Mr. Fletcher
No, I did not say that: I do not want to dispossess myself.
May I ask the Attorney-General whether he is not convinced that the present operation of these rules produces a large number of cases of grave hardship for persons applying for legal aid certificates? Does not the right hon. and learned Gentleman feel that it is high time the rules were reconsidered in the interests of people who are entitled to benefit under this legal aid procedure?

§ The Attorney-General
The number of persons who refused legal aid on the terms offered last year increased by 1 per cent., and that was all.