Immigration: Refugee and Migrant Justice

Lord Davies of Coity Excerpts

Monday 28th June 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Thomas of Gresford]

My Lords—

[Lord Davies of Coity]

My Lords—

[Lord Strathclyde]

My Lords, there is room for both. Let us listen to the noble Lord, Lord Thomas of Gresford.

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord McNally]

Again, dealing with the last point first, I am not even sure whether that is under review, but I certainly cannot give an answer. On the matter of money owing, a case from RMJ will be heard on Wednesday, so I am not sure how much I can comment on it, other than to say that it is the view of the Government and the LSC that no moneys are owing to RMJ. Indeed, when the books are finally balanced, it may prove to be the other way around.

[Lord Davies of Coity]

My Lords, in answer to the noble Lord, Lord Bach, the Minister said that he had to strike a balance. He also said that he did not know what it was going to cost. How does he strike a balance when he does not know what it is going to cost?

[Lord McNally]

Because Ministers have to take a view on whether paying out money to an organisation that has gone into administration is a better deal for the taxpayer than making the adjustments necessary to give the clients—as I said at the beginning, the clients are our first priority—the legal coverage that they deserve. Of course, during this period of adjustment, we do not know the final cost, but a decision had to be made. As I said, sometimes Ministers have to make hard decisions and we made this one.