§ Mr. Malcolm MacPhersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements are now in practice for free legal representation by Agents for the Poor under the Sheriff Court (Scotland) Act, 1907.
§ Mr. MaclayA full description of the present arrangements is contained in chapter 3 of the Report of the Committee on Legal Aid in Criminal Proceedings (Cmnd. 1015), of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.
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§ Mr. Malcolm MacPhersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what bodies and individuals he has consulted with a view to the preparation of legislation to amend the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act, 1949, in order to make statutory provisions for the grant of legal aid in criminal proceedings on the lines of the Act.
§ Mr. MaclayI have obtained the views of the courts, the Faculty of Advocates and the Law Society of Scotland on the recommendations contained in the Report of the Committee on Legal Aid in Criminal Proceedings.
§ Mr. Malcolm MacPhersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he intends to introduce legislation to amend the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act, 1949, in order to make statutory provisions for the grant of legal aid in criminal proceedings on the lines of the Act.
§ Mr. MaclayI am not yet in a position to make a statement on this matter.