§ Mr. HefferTo ask the Attorney-General what steps the Lord Chancellor is prepared to take to change the present position whereby, because of regulation 9 of the Legal Advice and Assistance Regulations (No. 2) 1980, legal aid is not available when defendants are outside the United Kingdom, following their extradition; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralLegal advice and assistance is restricted to the application of English law. The Lord Chancellor is not contemplating any change.
§ Mr. HefferTo ask the Attorney-General whether legal aid has been available since the House of Lords judgment in the Heysel stadium extradition case, to help English lawyers in their efforts in the United Kingdom to assist Belgian lawyers in their defence of those involved in this case; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo, Sir. Legal aid is not available in respect of proceedings abroad.