§ Mr. Hoosonasked the Attorney-General if any survey has been conducted by the Government, investigating the need for law centres in areas of the country which they do not serve at the present time; and what the result of such a survey discloses.
§ The Attorney-GeneralMy noble Friend has now received the report 419W which he asked his officials to prepare on the unmet need for legal services, which includes an investigation of the need for law centres in areas of the country which they do not serve at the present time. My noble Friend hopes to be able to make a statement with regard to this at an early date.
§ Mr. Hoosonasked the Attorney-General what is the average attendance at the law centres already established; and whether any survey has been made hitherto with regard to the position, financial and otherwise, of people who attend the law centres for advice.
Name and location of centre Period covered Estimated needing number of enquiries Number of cases needing further assistance Adamsdown Community and Advice Centre. Cardiff. Year to 31st December 1975 707 376 Balham Neighbourhood Law Centre Wandsworth, London. 10 months to 31st March 1975 5,081 869 Benwell Community Development Project, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Year to 30th September 1975 2,500 204 Brent Community Law Centre, London Year to 31st December 1975 5,000 600 Camden Community Law Centre, London Year to 31st March 1975 21,000 859 Hillfields Information and Opinion Centre, Coventry. Year to 3rd December 1975 800 627 Holloway Neighbourhood Law Centre, Islington, London. Year to 31st December 1975 920 520 Islington Community Law Centre, London Year to 31st December 1975 15,000 1,050 Lambeth Community Law Centre, London 6 months to 31st October 1975 11,250 541 Newham Rights Centre, London Year to 31st December 1975 535 535 North Kensington Neighbourhood Law Centre, London. Year to 31st August 1975 3,000 1,526 Paddington Neighbourhood Advice Bureau and Law Centre, Westminster London. Year to 31st December 1975 14,400 822 Stepney Green Neighbourhood Law Centre, Tower Hamlets, London. Year to 30th September 1975 2,115 834 Vauxhall Law and Information Centre, Liverpool. Year to 30th June 1975 1,319 850 West Stepney Neighbourhood Law Centre, Tower Hamlets, London. Year to 30th September 1975 1,500 900 No detailed figures are at present available on the financial position of those attending law centres. The law centres offer their services to people of modest means in areas of special need.