§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney-General, in view of the fact that persons from any country can immediately on landing in Great Britain claim and receive social security benefits, whether such persons can also claim free legal aid; and on what basis such persons are granted legal aid.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralLegal aid is available to any person, regardless of nationality or residence, for proceedings before the courts in this country. Before being granted civil legal aid an applicant must show that his resources are within the prescribed limits and he must satisfy the appropriate committee of the Law Society that he has reasonable grounds for taking, defending or being a party to the proceedings and that it would be reasonable to grant him legal aid. Liability to pay a contribution towards the legal aid costs depends on the applicant's resources.