§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Attorney-General in what proportion of cases heard by social security commissioners in January to June, the claimant and the adjudication officer respectively were(a) represented by legally qualified persons, (b) represented by unqualified persons and (c) unrepresented.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI regret that the information requested is not available.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Attorney-General why it has been decided not to make legal aid available for representation at social security commissioners' hearings.
§ The Attorney-GeneralAs my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor explained in another place on Tuesday 10 July, additional resources to extend the scope of legal aid cannot be provided at present and it may be possible to provide legal aid for matters such as hearings before social security commissioners only if savings can be made from elsewhere in the legal aid scheme.