§ Mr. Hoggasked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the breakdown of procedure under the Poor Persons Rules: and whether he is in a position to make any statement as to Government policy thereon?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI am unable to accept my hon. Friend's suggestion that 257W the procedure under the Poor Persons Rules has broken down. From 1st January, 1942, as regards the Army, and from later dates as regards the Royal Air Force and Navy, there has been a most substantial extension of the system for the purpose of giving assistance in litigation to persons in the Fighting Forces of specified ranks. This has resulted in a great increase in the number of applicants for certificates to sue as poor persons, while at the same time the number of solicitors available to conduct civilian cases has been greatly reduced by the claims of the Fighting Forces and other forms of national service. Inevitably some delays have ensued. In spite of this, however, the exertions of the Law Society are proceeding satisfactorily and substantial progress is being made. The policy of His Majesty's Government is to encourage and so far as possible assist the development of the system in every practicable way.
§ Mr. Hoggasked the Attorney-General whether he will ensure that the reconstruction programme will include the provision of free legal aid for the poor?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe system established under the Poor Persons Rules engages the constant attention of my Noble and learned Friend, who has for some time been in consultation with the Law Society on the subject. Modifications and extensions of that system have been brought into operation during the war, and it may be expected that further developments of the system will be necessary.