§ Mr. Andrew WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received about applications for legal aid made under the Advice and Assistance (Scotland) Regulations 1987; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Scottish Legal Aid Board has recommended that failure to send the board a copy of the client's application within 14 days (as required by regulation 10) should render the grant ineffective for the purpose of payment of the account; and that, where a second solicitor is to act in the same matter, he or she should be required to sign the application. I am preparing amending regulations which will give effect to these proposals.