§ Mr. MillerTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans has he to suspend legal aid certificates held by prisoners who have absconded.
Mr. John M. TaylorDecisions in respect of civil legal aid in individual cases are a matter for the Legal Aid Board. It must consider whether, in the light of all the 107W relevant circumstances, it is reasonable, within the terms of the Legal Aid Act 1988 and the regulations made under it, for an individual to receive, or continue to receive, civil legal aid. The fact that an assisted person is imprisoned and absconds is not, of itself, a specific ground for discharging a civil legal aid certificate.
§ Mr. MillerTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the use by Roy Higginson of a current legal aid certificate after he absconded from prison.
Mr. John M. TaylorMr. Higginson was granted civil legal aid in 1989—before he was imprisoned—in order to pursue a claim in respect of damage caused to his house. That certificate continues in force and will continue for as long as Mr. Higginson continues to meet the criteria for the grant of civil legal aid as laid down in the Legal Aid Act 1988 and the regulations made under it.
§ Mr. MillerTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many escaped prisoners have current legal aid certificates.