§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney General whether he will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain how and why it took the Law Society from 3rd August, 1971, until 3rd November, 1971, to deal with a matter regarding free legal aid, reference numbers E2-1/2/5/ 1499 and E21/215/10544; why, only after the hon. Member for West Ham, 128W North had telephoned on 3rd November, a reply was received; and what action he proposes to take to prevent such delays in the future.
§ The Attorney-General:The Legal Aid and Advice Act, 1949, charges the Law Society with the administration of the Legal Aid Scheme subject to the general guidance of my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor. In these circumstances I cannot accept the responsibility of answering for the day-to-day administration of the schemes. I am therefore bringing the hon. Member's Question to the attention of the Law Society.