§ 4. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times in the last five years were fire brigades in England and Wales called out to motor accidents; and how many times in this period were the Luton and Dunstable fire brigades called out to motor accidents on the Ml motorway.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesIn 1967, fire brigades in England and Wales attended 11,105 road accidents, excluding fires. I regret that corresponding figures for earlier years are not readily available.
Following are details of attendances in the five year period by the Luton fire brigade and the Southern division of the Bedfordshire fire brigade at accidents on the M1 Motorway.
(2) whether he will have discussions with the Magistrates' Association and other appropriate bodies regarding the granting of legal aid to defendants in proceedings before magistrates' courts.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganThe Criminal Justice Act, 1967 provides that a court 185W may grant legal aid (subject to means) where it appears to the court desirable to do so in the interests of justice. The Departmental Committee on Legal Aid in Criminal Proceedings made recommendations on this matter which are, no doubt, well known to magistrates' courts.