§ 39. Mr. Hamlingasked the Minister without Portfolio whether he will set up an inquiry into the operation of the legal aid schemes.
§ Mr. HamlingWill my hon. Friend tell the House what action he has taken with regard to the cases I have reported of hardship to people?
§ Sir Eric FletcherAs my hon. Friend is aware, the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee considers the Law Society's annual report on the working of the legal aid system. It can also consider any other matters referred to it. Matters that are brought to the notice of my noble Friend are considered by his Advisory Committee, and it is therefore unnecessary to make any further inquiry.
§ Mr. HaleIs my hon. Friend aware that people are now being charged in contributions for litigation much larger sums than they were ever called upon to pay before legal aid was introduced? Does he know that one can still get married, I think, for seven and a tanner, but that it costs £200 to have a divorce—a rather ugly and unpleasant business? One would really have thought that the normal procedure for a breach of an ordinary contract, not solemnised by the Church, would be a little cheaper and simpler. Is it not a fact that legal aid now costs not only the community at large but the individual litigant a great deal more than before?
§ Sir Eric FletcherAs my hon. Friend knows, the cost of legal aid has been rising year by year, but in view of the announcement just made by my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General, the result of transferring jurisdiction in undefended divorces to the county courts will produce a very considerable saving in those cases.