HC Deb 28 June 1976 vol 914 cc24-5
40. Mr. Ashley

asked the Attorney-General when he next proposes to meet the Law Society.

The Attorney-General

My noble Friend is in frequent contact with the Law Society. If there is any particular matter which my hon. Friend would like me to raise, I shall be glad to consider it.

Mr. Ashley

What is my right hon. and learned Friend prepared to do about the Phillimore Report and the changes in the law of contempt? Is he prepared to discuss this matter with the Law Society and other interested bodies so that there will be an extension of Press freedom and an ending of the gagging of the Press by existing legislation?

The Attorney-General

I listened with great interest to what my hon. Friend said last night during "The Editors" programme. Certainly, this is a matter of great importance and difficulty. I very much hope that my noble Friend will be in a position to say something about it before too long. I am afraid I have to say that he is not yet in a position to do so, but I appreciate my hon. Friend's desire that a quick answer should be given.

Mr. Christopher Price

When my right tion of this House which has arisen over its apparent attempt to block law centres hon. and learned Friend meets the Law Society, will he convey to it the irritain both London and other parts of the country on grounds which should not be any of its concern? Will he also convey to it that there is a great need for a law centre in the London borough of Lewisham? When this application comes to the Government, we very much hope that we shall not get the same sort of treatment as Hillingdon got when it tried to get a law centre going in its area.

The Attorney-General

I hope to meet the Law Society on Thursday evening, provided that somebody will pair with me. If I do so, I shall certainly respond to what my hon. Friend has said. But in doing so I shall wish to congratulate Law Society on having now reached an agreement in principle on the whole question of waivers, and I have little doubt that when the details of this have been published my hon. Friend will be pleased at the result.

Mr. Freud

When the Attorney-General next meets the Law Society, will he discuss with it some simple appeals procedure, particularly in cases where the Law Society turns down a solicitor's application for a leader, a "silk"?

The Attorney-General

If I understand what the hon. Gentleman is asking me, it would be within the terms of the Royal Commission on Legal Services. While I take note of what he says, we really must await the setting up and the report of that commission.