HC Deb 27 April 1955 vol 540 cc58-9W
46. Miss Lee

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what provisions there are for legal aid for poor persons in British Guiana; and to what extent such aid has been available for persons charged under the emergency regulations.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd:

Legal aid is available for poor persons in proceedings before the Supreme Court except in bankruptcy cases or most criminal cases. It is also available in capital cases and in criminal appeals.

As regards the second part of the Question, legal aid for persons charged under the Emergency Order is available only in appeals: though I understand that persons prosecuted under the Emergency Order have in practice secured the help of counsel where they wanted it.