§ Mr. DevlinTo ask the Attorney-General whether Paul Eric Walker can now be treated as a new applicant for the purposes of legal aid.
§ The Attorney-GeneralPaul Eric Walker is in possession of a valid current legal aid certificate. There is no need for him to apply for a new certificate.
§ Mr. DevlinTo ask the Attorney-General when Paul Eric Walker first applied for legal aid to the Northern area legal aid office; and if he will make a statement about the reasons for the delay in granting it.
§ The Attorney-GeneralPaul Eric Walker first applied for legal aid on 9 May 1990 and his certificate was granted on 22 August 1991. The delay in granting the certificate arose because the Legal Aid Assessment Office had difficulty in establishing Mr. Walker's correct address and a number of changes to his financial circumstances led to further delays while his means were recalculated. Between August and October 1991 Mr. Walker was asked to show cause why his certificate should not be discharged in the light of his most recent failure to co-operate with the means assessment process. The matter was finally resolved in Mr. Walker's favour on 31 October 1991.