Viscount Colville of Culrossasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in the light of the Government's recent announcement that those provisions of the Children Act 1975 enabling parents involved in care proceedings to obtain legal aid will be implemented in April 1984, arrangements will now be made to provide parents in these circumstances with legal representation in the interim?
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Hailsham of Saint Marylebone)Regulations were laid before Parliament on 8th April 1983 to extend representation under the legal advice and assistance scheme to parents involved in care proceedings where there is or may be a conflict between their child's interests and their own, and where in the interests of justice it is desirable to grant such representation. These regulations are intended to come into effect on 1st May 1983.