§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ensure that adequate resources for legal advice and assistance are available to those seeking to make representations or give evidence to the inquiry set up into river safety.
§ Mr. McLoughlinMy right hon. and learned Friend has asked Mr. John Hayes, secretary general of the Law Society, to carry out an independent investigation into river safety. Mr. Hayes has already asked for written representations, through advertisements in the press and letters to those with a known interest. I understand that he also intends inviting some individuals to discuss their evidence with him. These discussions will be totally non-adversarial and held in private. In the circumstances I do not think that those who choose to give evidence should have any need of legal advice and I do not propose to use public funds to meet any costs they might incur.