HC Deb 28 November 1938 vol 342 cc52-4W
Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether as the belief expressed in the Majority Report of the 1928 Commission on Legal Aid in Civil Cases that the number of centres with a poor man's lawyer would be rapidly enlarged has not been realised, he will consider setting up an inquiry into the facilities at present available to provide legal aid for poor persons in civil and criminal matters, and the extension of such facilities to cover applicants whose total income from all sources does not exceed £3 per week, and/or whose goods do not exceed £100 in value and to cover county courts and inferior courts?

The Attorney-General

I have been asked to reply. My Noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor is considering the appointments of a committee to inquire into the giving of legal advice to poor persons. With regard to the latter part of the question, the hon. Member will probably bear in mind that there was an inquiry by the very competent Committee to which he refers and that the circumstances in relation to that part of the question have not substantially altered since that date. The possibility of rendering assistance to poor persons in relation to certain special matters is being carefully considered at the present time. In these circumstances my Noble Friend does not think that an inquiry by a Committee would be of assistance to him in his consideration of the difficult and important questions raised by the latter part of the question.