§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the right to appeal against a sheriff's decision to refuse legal aid is limited in practice; and if he will introduce legislation to allow wider grounds of appeal than at present exist.
§ Mr. William RossThe arrangements for granting legal aid in criminal proceedings are laid down in rules made by the High Court of Justiciary. The rules provide specifically that the decision of the court on an application for legal aid shall be final. A fresh application is, however, permitted where it can be shown that there has been a material change in circumstances. I am not aware that any suggestion has been made for the amendment of the rules on this subject.