§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Attorney-General if he will take steps to ensure that legal aid covers representation before statutory tribunals.
§ The Attorney-GeneralMy noble Friend has considerable sympathy with the advisory committee's recommendation, and he supports in principle the extension of legal aid to these tribunals. However, he regrets that he cannot give priority to the provision of legal aid for tribunals, in view of the urgent need for improving legal services generally. The study he has commissioned into the problems of the unmet need for legal services is reaching completion. My noble Friend will review the whole position when the report is available to him.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Attorney-General if he will review the income limits within which legal aid assistance is provided.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe income limits for legal aid are reviewed, annually or biannually, in line with increases of supplementary benefit. My noble Friend has increased the limits twice since he took office, the latest increase being on 1st June 1975. The whole basis of the financial conditions of eligibility for legal aid are at present being studied by a working party which includes representatives of The Law Society, the Supplementary Benefits Commission and the Lord Chancellor's Office.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Attorney-General what estimate he has made of the number of people requiring legal aid but unable to afford it.
§ The Attorney-GeneralIt is difficult to make an accurate estimate, but there is general agreement that the number is considerable.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Attorney-General what consideration he has given 762W to any scheme for replacing the present system of legal aid by one which makes legal aid available when its cost is beyond a person's capacity to pay.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe financial bases of eligibility for legal aid are being studied by a working party reviewing the financial conditions of the legal aid schemes. They will be considering the possibility to which my hon. Friend's Question refers.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Attorney-General what representations he has received for the setting up of an independent public corporaton to be responsible for all publicly financed legal services.
§ The Attorney-GeneralMy noble Friend has received a number of representations of this nature, in particular from the Legal Action Group. He has considered these representations, and has decided that such a body is not at present required.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Attorney-General if he will encourage the establishment of a national network of neighbourhood law centres with particular provision for deprived areas.
§ The Attorney-GeneralMy noble Friend has, within the limits imposed by the present economic situation, encouraged the establishment of law centres in areas where they are needed. He is giving further consideration to the general question of how best to provide for the unmet need for legal services including the need in deprived areas.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Attorney-General if he is satisfied that the provision of legal aid in geographical areas reffects the need for that aid.
§ The Attorney-GeneralLegal aid is available in all areas in England and Wales. Its effectiveness depends on the availability of solicitors in the locality willing and able to do this type of work. My noble Friend is investigating the extent of this problem in the context of the consideration referred to in my answer to my hon. Friend's previous Question on neighbourhood law centres.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Attorney-General what steps are taken to ensure that legal 763W aid is provided to cases of the highest priority.
§ The Attorney-GeneralLegal aid is available to all those who satisfy the statutory requirements of eligibility. In cases of urgency emergency legal aid may be granted, if necessary, by telephone.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Attorney-General if he is satisfied with the operation of the Green Form scheme for legal aid.
§ The Attorney-GeneralMy noble Friend is pleased to note that use of the scheme has expanded from 100,298 cases in 1973–74 to 180,284 cases in 1974–75. He believes, however, that it could be used even more widely, in particular to advise those who have problems in relation to tribunals.