§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the nature of the proceedings in respect of which applications for legal aid were refused at Great Marlborough Street, Marylebone, Old Street, North London, and Lambeth Magistrates' Courts, respectively, within the last 12 months; how many applications were refused on financial grounds; and what was the nature of the proceedings to which such refusals related.
§ Mr. CarlisleCourts are not required to keep records of the grounds for the refusal of applications for legal aid in criminal proceedings. The available information about the nature of the proceedings in the courts referred to by the hon. Member was given in the table annexed to my reply to his Question on 20th July.—[Vol. 804 c. 37–38.]
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to enable appeals to be made from refusals of applications for legal aid in the criminal courts.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe Departmental Committee on Legal Aid in Criminal Proceedings advised against this, and my right hon. Friend sees no reason at present to dissent from their conclusion.