§ 32. Mr. David Amess (Southend, West)When he last discussed his legal aid reforms with the Lord Chief Justice and the other heads of divisions of the High Court. [56135]
§ The Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department (Mr. Geoffrey Hoon)The Lord Chancellor and I meet the Lord Chief Justice and other senior judges regularly. We discuss many areas of mutual interest, including legal aid.
§ Mr. AmessIn the light of the Lord Chief Justice Bingham's remarks that any legal aid reform should be proceeded with cautiously and slowly, is it wise of the Government to rush ahead with their reforms, which many experts believe are ill thought out and will make the situation worse?
§ Mr. HoonIt is not for me to comment on what the Lord Chief Justice thinks of the Government's proposals. However, I note that Lord Bingham, at his recent press conference, expressed support for our plans to refocus legal aid and to extend availability of conditional fees. I certainly welcome that endorsement.
§ Mr. John Burnett (Torridge and West Devon)I am happy to congratulate the Minister on his recent promotion. Last night, the Lord Chancellor made a speech on the proposed community legal service. What legal services will the community legal service be providing, first, for those who now qualify for legal aid, and, secondly, for middle-income Britain?
§ Mr. HoonYesterday, the Lord Chancellor outlined our plans to establish a community legal service, which will improve access to justice by refocusing the traditional legal aid scheme and provide more help, and more effective help, to the most vulnerable people in our society, particularly in relation to social welfare law and employment, housing, debt and benefit advice.
§ Dr. Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde)I hope that those legal aid developments and reforms will be of positive assistance to the witnesses who hope to give evidence to the Bloody Sunday inquiry, which is chaired by Lord Saville. Many of the witnesses, both in England and in Northern Ireland, are on low incomes. They need and deserve such assistance.
§ Mr. HoonI am grateful for my hon. Friend's suggestion, and shall ensure that whichever member of the Government is responsible for the matter is made aware of his observations