§ Mr. MalinsTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will now extend legal aid to cover the cost of legal representation at appeal hearings for destitute asylum appellants ineligible for benefits on appeal against refusal of refugee status. [35906]
§ Mr. HoonOur proposed reforms of the legal aid scheme are designed to get legal aid expenditure under effective control and to ensure that it is directed to areas of greatest need. As part of the reform package, we will consider whether extending legal aid to cover representation at hearings before the immigration adjudicators and the Immigration Appeals Tribunal is the best way of meeting that need.