§ 3. Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many magistrates' courts operate a duty-solicitor scheme to enable unrepresented accused persons to be advised before and/or represented at the first hearing of their cases.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Mark Carlisle)No duty-solicitor scheme has so far been sponsored by the Home Office and I have no detailed information about any such scheme. But I understand that help is often given to unrepresented defendants by court staff or, on occasion, by solicitors attending for other purposes.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisIs not the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that a very great deal of concern is being expressed about the problems affecting unrepresented defendants? Would not this proposal be worthy of Home Office consideration, since it would enable the unrepresented defendant to be represented at the critical time, when first denied bail by the police, and at the even more critical stage when he makes his first appearance in court? It is no use relying on solicitors who might be present to intervene.
§ Mr. CarlisleI am aware that the proposal has been put forward by Justice. It will be considered. But the Home Secretary thinks it right to await reactions from the other organisations who have an interest in this matter before taking a decision.