§ Mr. Batisteasked the Attorney-General whether he has any plans to extend the legal aid scheme to assist British litigants in pursuing claims against persons resident elsewhere in the European Community; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Batisteasked the Attorney-General which members of the European Community have legal aid schemes broadly equivalent to those in Great Britain.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI understand that member countries of the European Community have legal aid schemes which are comparable, though to varying extents, with those in Great Britain.
§ Mr. Batisteasked the Attorney-General whether the Lord Chancellor has any plans to seek harmonisation and reciprocity of legal aid schemes within the European Community.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThere are no plans for the harmonisation of legal aid schemes within the European Community. Legal aid is available to foreign nationals wishing to bring proceedings in England and Wales on the same basis as for British nationals. Similar arrangements already exist for British nationals wishing to bring proceedings in most western European countries.