§ 38. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Attorney-General if, in view of the difficulties of tenants when opposed by lawyers and chartered surveyors representing landlords, he will take steps to extend to tenants free legal aid when appearing before rent officers and rent assessment it committees.
§ The Attorney-GeneralMy noble Friend the Lord Chancellor does not consider that the provisions of the Legal Aid and Advice Act should be extended at the present time to proceedings before rent officers and rent assessment committees. However, my noble Friend will keep this matter under review.
§ Mr. AllaunBut does not my right hon. and learned Friend, who is quite a high-powered lawyer himself, agree that as things are the dice are heavily loaded against the tenants, particularly when the big property companies are employing expensive professional representatives?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI do not think there is any reason for anxiety on this score at the present time, but the matter is being carefully watched. The intention is that the proceedings before the rent officers and the committees should be somewhat informal. The issues are usually simple issues of fact, and in regard to the poorer houses, if I may so describe them, I do not think the problems of expert evidence very often are likely to arise.