§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to change his Department's policy on eligibility for legal aid. [1942]
§ Mr. HoonThere are no plans at present to change eligibility for legal aid. However there is to be a review of the proposed reforms of the civil justice system and legal aid. We will consider the scope for changes to eligibility for legal aid in the light of the outcome of the review.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to widen eligibility for legal aid to those defending libel actions; and if he will make a statement. [1944]
§ Mr. HoonThere are no plans to extend the scope of the legal aid scheme to include defending libel actions. Successive Governments have taken the view that the outcomes of such cases are uniquely difficult to foresee and that even if the general mechanisms against unmeritorious proceedings could be strengthened in some way, they would still not provide an effective safeguard against the potential waste of public money.