HC Deb 24 October 1967 vol 751 c445W
Mr. Whitaker

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to ensure that legal aid is provided in every case where an indigent defendant is liable to imprisonment, borstal or detention.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

It is for the courts to decide whether the grant of legal aid is desirable in the interests of justice, and I have no authority to issue any directions to them on this matter.