§ 28. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for legal aid in 1970 and 1971, respectively, were granted by magistrates sitting in the county of Derbyshire and the borough of Derby.
§ Mr. CarlisleIn 1970, 1,154 in the county and 601 in the county borough. Statistics for 1971 are not yet available.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsIs my hon. and learned Friend aware that there is a great deal of unrest about whether everyone is receiving a fair crack of the whip there? My hon. and learned Friend took part in a programme on television which highlighted the fault that exists now. What action has he taken to remedy the position?
§ Mr. CarlisleMy hon. Friend might like to know that in Derby borough the percentage of applications granted was as high as 94.6, and in Derbyshire county 96.6, both of which are above the national average. The granting of that percentage of applications shows that the magistrates are obviously considering every application with the utmost care.