§ 2. Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to increase the number of law centres in Scotland.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Lord James Douglas-Hamilton)There are no plans at present to introduce additional law centres in Scotland from centrally provided funds.
§ Mr. VazThe Minister will recall that that is exactly the same answer as he gave when I asked a similar question on 6 February 1991, at column 276 in Hansard. Does he accept that there is an overwhelming case for an increase in the number of law centres in Scotland? He will realise that increasing numbers of people go to solicitors asking for help in relation to debts and social security and housing problems. Private firms of solicitors simply cannot provide the necessary advice because of the legal aid rules. Will he please ask his Department to prepare a paper to increase the number of Scottish law centres in line with the number of law centres in other parts of the United Kingdom?
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonWe take the view that local authorities are in the best position to judge whether there is an unmet demand for legal services. They can 242 either help to provide them from their own resources or put in a bid for urban aid. We shall certainly consider such bids sympathetically as and when they arise. Law centres have performed well where they exist in Glasgow. We have changed the law and removed the restriction on solicitors practising in law centres. If the hon. Gentleman can persuade any local authorities to take the matter forward, we shall consider seriously their bid for urban aid.