§ 41. Mr. Elwyn Jonesasked the Attorney-General whether he will take steps to amend the basic figures in the Legal Aid and Advice Act and the Assessment of Resources Regulations, so as to take account of the changed economic circumstances since the Act and the Regulations came into force.
§ Mr. JonesIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the rise in the cost of living has made the basic figures referred to in the Question quite out of date and is resulting in a number of people who should be getting legal aid now being denied it and thereby suffering from an injustice which the legal aid scheme was intended to eliminate?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI am aware that the average weekly wage of adult males has increased by far more than the value of the £ has decreased, and the result of that increase in wages has been to take some of the male average weekly wage earners outside the limits of the scheme. I would point out, however, that the Advisory Committee said that it was, broadly speaking, satisfied that the Assessment of Resources Regulations did not prevent litigants from getting the assistance which they should.
§ 42. Mr. Collinsasked the Attorney-General if he will invite the Advisory Committee to give further consideration to the fact that the rise in incomes consequent upon the depreciation in the value of the £ has put large numbers of persons who were within the limits of the legal aid scheme above those limits; and if he will ask them to advise him on the income limit that would be necessary to carry out the original intentions embodied in the Legal Aid Act.
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo, Sir.
§ Mr. CollinsIs the Attorney-General aware that he himself said that the most recent figure of applicants turned down 28 because they were above the limit totalled 14 per cent. and that the Act is becoming increasingly inoperative for that reason? Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman seek advice in order to carry out the wishes of both sides of the House that people should be able to get legal aid and not be prevented from getting it because of their means?
§ The Attorney-GeneralAs I said in answer to the hon. and learned Member for West Ham, South (Mr. Elwyn Jones) on the previous Question, the Advisory Committee said that in its view, broadly speaking, the Assessment Regulations do not prevent litigants from getting the assistance which they should.
§ Mr. CollinsIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I wish to give notice that I shall try to raise the matter on the Adjournment.