§ 30. Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Lord President of the Council how many subjects have been raised as Adjournment debates since January 1995. [4037]
§ Mr. NewtonSince January 1995, there have been, as of Thursday 21 November 1996, 288 daily and 275 Wednesday morning Adjournment debates initiated by individual hon. Members.
§ Mr. MarshallI thank my right hon. Friend for his answer, which demonstrates the increased time available for Back Benchers. Would he care to note the debate on legal aid that I have initiated, which shows that the legal aid fund is a juggernaut out of control? Will he accept my assurance that, if the Chancellor of the Excqhr and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury attack it tomorrow, there will be a warm welcome from me and from many others?
§ Mr. NewtonMy hon. Friend is certainly right that there has been a large increase in the number of opportunities available to Back Benchers, particularly through the introduction of Wednesday morning debates in exchange for Consolidated Fund debates and some private Members' debates at other times during the week. I am sure that my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of Exchequer and my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary will have heard what he said about legal aid and will have noted it carefully. More to the point, I am sure that my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has carefully noted my hon. Friend's concern about these matters.