§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what representations he has received from the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland concerning the proposed changes to the contributary schemes for legal aid and legal advice and assistance; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what representations he has received from the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland concerning the proposed changes to the eligibility criteria for legal aid and legal advice and assistance; and if he will make a statement;
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 30 March 1993]: The social work commissioner of the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland wrote to the Scottish Office Home and Health Department on 15 March about the effect on the mentally disordered of the Government's proposed changes in eligibility for civil legal aid and advice and assistance.
320WThe Government's intention is to ensure, in the face of considerable rises in expenditure on legal aid, that legal aid will continue to be available to the most needy. The financial circumstances of mentally disordered people will vary considerably, but it is likely that the great majority will remain eligible for civil legal aid or advice and assistance, either free of charge or with an income-related contribution.