Orders of the Day — Legal Advice and Assistance Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 February 1972.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mr Geoffrey Howe Mr Geoffrey Howe , Reigate 12:00, 10 February 1972

The hon. Gentleman will forgive me for interrupting him, but I should find it difficult to clarify the doubt if I did not understand what the doubt was. As it seems to me subsection (3) extends to permit the solicitor to give assistance by taking on his behalf any step in the institution or conduct in the ways set out from line 25 to line 30, and it is only in that respect that preliminary assistance in the way I have discussed—letter before action, and letter to the court—can be given in respect of a tribunal. Subsection (4) deals with the separate and self-contained thing of the extent to which representation can be provided on request by the court—the magistrates' court or the county court. There seem to be two distinct provisions and subsection (3) limits plainly the extent of the pre-litigation help to be given before tribunals. If the hon. and learned Member understands it differently, perhaps he could say why.