§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to enable the Law Society to administer criminal legal aid, save in emergency cases.
§ Mr. MaudlingI am keeping the criminal legal aid scheme under review. The existing provisions reflect the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Legal Aid, under the chairmanship of the present Lord Chief Justice, which concluded, after full examination of a proposal similar to that in the hon. Member's Question, that applications for legal aid in criminal proceedings should be dealt with by the courts. Any departure from these provisions would require very careful consideration and wide consultation.