§ 34. Mr. J. Fosterasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will circularise the clerks of all courts of summary jurisdiction directing the justices' attention to the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act, 1948, that no court shall impose imprisonment on a person under 21 years of age unless the court is of opinion that no other method of dealing with him is appropriate, and ensure, pending the passing of the Legal Aid Bill, that all young persons are given legal assistance in every case where a sentence of imprisonment is in contemplation by the justices in order that all material facts may be properly placed before the court.
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§ Mr. EdeA detailed explanation of the provisions of Section 17 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1948, relating to the imprisonment of persons under the age of 21 was included in one of the circulars about the Act which was sent to all clerks to justices on 14th December last. The question of the grant of legal aid is a matter for the court, and I have no reason to think that it would be withheld in the class of case to which the hon. Member refers if it was applied for.