§ 4. Mr. E. Fletcherasked the Attorney-General if he is aware of the hardship resulting, in the administration of the Legal Aid Scheme, from the existing regulations as to contributions; and what action he proposes to take to remedy this matter.
§ The Attorney-GeneralIn its comments and recommendations upon the Eighth Report of the Law Society on the Legal Aid Scheme, which has been laid before Parliament today, the Advisory Committee states that it proposes to study further in the course of this year whether under present financial conditions the machinery set up by the Legal Aid and Advice Act, 1949, is failing to make legal aid and advice available to those for whom it was intended. My noble Friend, the Lord Chancellor, will consider the question of amending not only the Legal Aid (Assessment of Resources) Regulations, 1950, but also the financial provisions of the Legal Aid and Advice Act in the light of its recommendations.
§ Mr. FletcherWhile it is satisfactory to know that the Lord Chancellor will consider the matter, may I ask whether the Attorney-General will bear in mind that, in view of the recent debate in this House when he promised that representations made from both sides of the House would be conveyed to the Lord Chancellor, we hope for speedy action?