§ 34. Sir D. Walker-Smithasked the Attorney-General if he will institute a review of all proceedings of a forensic character, whether taking place in courts, tribunals, arbitrations or inquiries, where there is at present no entitlement to legal aid, and consider the propriety of the extension of legal aid in the light of the results thereof.
§ The Attorney-GeneralPriority must be given to the scheme for the better provision of legal advice and assistance for which legislation will be introduced this Session. When that scheme is in operation and the research now proceeding into the need for assistance before tribunals has made more progress, the need for a further extension of the scheme can be considered.
§ Sir D. Walker-SmithI thank my right hon. and learned Friend for that answer. Will he bear in mind that there is a growing feeling among wide sections of the public that a somewhat unsatisfactory position obtains here in that large sums of the taxpayers' money are paid to people charged with and not infrequently found guilty of criminal offences, whereas no aid is available to the citizen whose property is affected, for example, by public improvements and compulsory purchase orders and his need to appear in respect thereof? Will my right hon. and learned Friend further have regard to the position of the preservation and amenity societies which are motivated solely by a desire to put forward matters in what they concede to be the public interest and, in the absence of aid, find themselves inhibited from doing so?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI shall bear in mind the important points to which my right hon. and learned Friend has referred. The only comment that I make is that, in the matter of legal aid in criminal cases, it has been decided and generally welcomed that there should be legal aid widely available to those persons who stand in such jeopardy. But I shall hear in mind my right hon. and learned Friend's comments.
§ Sir Elwyn JonesWhen will the scheme for legal advice and assistance be introduced? It was promised in the Queen's Speech. Why has there been this delay in introducing it?
§ The Attorney-GeneralIt is in the programme and it will be brought before the House shortly.
§ Mr. Raphael TuckIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the case in Watford of Mr. Feiler, who was dismissed from a hospital by the management committee and who appealed to the regional board? His appeal was allowed, but he has crippling legal expenses to meet which he cannot afford. What can be done about such a case?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI am afraid I do not know about the case of Mr. Feiler in Watford. However, if the hon. Gentleman sends me particulars, I will have them looked into.