§ 9. Mr. Crawshawasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied as to the working of the Legal Aid Scheme, particularly in relation to criminal cases; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CarlisleIn general, the legal aid scheme in criminal proceedings seems to be operating as intended. Legal aid in civil proceedings is a matter for my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor.
§ Mr. CrawshawWould the hon. Gentleman agree that when a person is called upon to plead in a higher court he is normally granted legal aid if he is not represented? Does he further agree that this is time-consuming for the courts and is unfair on the prisoner in that his counsel has to prepare a plea of mitigation in a complicated case without much time when the man is facing a long sentence of imprisonment? Would it not be better to grant him legal aid automatically when he is sent to a higher court?
§ Mr. CarlisleI think the answer here is that a greater proportion of applications for legal aid at committal are already being granted. I cannot give those figures, but I can tell the hon. Gentleman that a combination between those granted legal aid on committal and those granted it by the court of trial meant that in 1969, out of 40,000 people appearing for trial at assizes and quarter sessions, only 847 were unrepresented.
§ Mr. WaddingtonWill my hon. Friend make it clear to his right hon. Friend that many of us on this side of the House feel that it would be essential to extend legal aid to persons appearing before industrial 1446 tribunals under the Industrial Relations Bill?
§ Mr. CarlisleThat is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employmeint. I will see that my hon. Friend's views are conveyed to him.