§ Mr. Maclennanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the improved economic situation, he will reconsider his policy regarding the granting of legal aid to crofters appearing before the Scottish Land Court.
§ Mr. RossI am afraid that given the present need to control the growth of public expenditure there is still no prospect of extending the legal aid scheme to proceedings in the Scottish Land Court. I am willing to reconsider the matter when the situation improves sufficiently but, as my hon. Friend may know, the Government have been pressed to extend the civil legal aid scheme in other directions as well and we shall have to consider the priorities very carefully.