Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Shailesh Vara and Kelvin Hopkins

Tuesday 17th March 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Vara]

I thank my hon. Friend for his question and say to him that we do have one of the most generous legal aid budgets in the world and we have made sure that we provide legal aid assistance for those who need it.

[Kelvin Hopkins (Luton North) (Lab)]

In a previous Question Time, I raised the problem of victims of domestic abuse apparently being deterred from going to law because of the cuts in legal aid. Has the Minister discussed the matter with representatives of the law authorities? Does he have any statistics to confirm these reports?

[Mr Vara]

We have paid particular attention to those who have been victims of domestic violence and we are very keen that, wherever possible, we will give legal aid to make sure that people get out of the abusive relationships in which they are caught.