§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Attorney-General if he will make arrangements to ensure legal aid is made available throughout the United Kingdom to those eligible to pay for DNA tests; which area legal aid committees already accept legal aid applications for DNA costs; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the use of DNA tests in immigration cases. In England and Wales, such tests may be paid for under the legal advice and assistance scheme if the area office concerned extends the normal limit for expenditure under the scheme. Extensions are normally granted for this purpose where the validity of a claimed relationship is the decisive factor in an immigration decision and DNA tests are needed to resolve any doubts about the relationship.682W The legal aid head office of the Law Society has issued guidance to area offices in order to promote a consistent approach. The same principles apply in Northern Ireland.