§ 39. Mr. Whitakerasked the Attorney General what would be the estimated cost of making legal aid available to applicants to mental health review tribunals.
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo estimate has been made. Economic circumstances do not permit extension of the Legal Aid Scheme at the present time and there is little call for it to be extended to these tribunals.
§ Mr. WhitakerWould not my right hon. and learned Friend agree that it is patients who have been immured in mental hospitals for a considerable time who could most benefit from professional advice? Would not the Tribunals themselves also appreciate the succinct presentation of the facts before them?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have had no representations that there is any sense of injustice arising from the present arrangements, but if my hon. Friend has any case in mind that he would care to refer to me I would be very willing to look into it.