§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Attorney-General if he will set out the reasons for the proposal to disallow legal aid for undefended divorce proceedings.
§ The Attorney-GeneralMy noble Friend's reason for proposing the simplification of procedure and in consequence the restriction of legal aid in undefended divorce cases is the need to restrain the rate of growth of public expenditure on civil legal aid, which has increased rapidly in recent years. My noble Friend hopes that in due course there will also be sufficient additional176W 1968, are: compassionate cases; spouses and dependent children of citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies; bona fide students; those exercising their right of abode in the United Kingdom; in the public interest; and to take up approved employment in the United Kingdom.
The following figures are available for passports issued by the British High Commission in Gaborone to solely Rhodesian citizens:
savings to enable him to improve the financial conditions for legal aid and advice, and to establish law centres in some of the areas of greatest need. My noble Friend made it clear that advice and assistance under the "Green Form" scheme, and full legal aid for disputes relating to financial provision and custody of children, would continue to be available. For fuller explanations, I refer my hon. Friend to statements made by my noble Friend in another place on 15th June 1976—[House of Lords; Vol. 371, c. 1212–20]—and by my hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor-General in this House on 15th July 1976—[Vol. 915, c. 1125–36.]