§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Attorney-General (1) what discussions he has had with the Law Society about its policy towards community law centres;
(2) if he will seek powers to take over the Law Society's powers to affect the future of community law centres;
(3) if he has been consulted by the Law Society on the terms for granting waivers from the practice rules to community law centres; and if he agreed with its views;
(4) if he is satisfied that waivers are granted as soon as possible to community law centres.
§ The Attorney-GeneralMy noble Friend has had detailed discussions with the Law Society about law centres, aimed in particular at the introduction of new and more satisfactory arrangements for granting waivers from the practice rules to law centres and other schemes. The new arrangements are intended to ensure that applications for waivers are dealt with as speedily as possible, and to enable complaints about these matters to be referred to my noble Friend for his consideration. Arrangements for the reference of such complaints are already in operation.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Attorney-General (1) what is his estimate of the number of community law centres required in Great Britain to provide for unmet legal needs of people whose income is below the national average;
(2) if any person or organisation outside his office has been shown the White Report on Unmet Legal Needs;
(3) when he proposes to make a statement on the White Report on Unmet Legal Needs.
§ The Attorney-GeneralMy noble Friend hopes to be able to make a statement at an early date on the report which he asked his officials to prepare on the unmet need for legal services, including the ways in which this need should be met by the establishment of law centres and by other means. In the meantime,474W it is for my noble Friend to decide, on this as on other matters, what confidential consultations to undertake in respect of advice he has received.