Oral Answers to Questions

Glyn Davies Excerpts

Tuesday 6th May 2014 Commons Chamber

[Simon Hughes]

My hon. Friend has mentioned that idea to me before, and I find it attractive. I have not had a formal discussion about it with the Secretary of State, but I imagine that he may instinctively find it attractive as well. We certainly expect our colleagues in other Departments to make decisions correctly, and not to incur costs that will be borne by our Department, and hence by the taxpayer, by getting those decisions wrong. I shall willingly engage in discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, and with other Departments that ought to be bearing the burden of decisions that they got wrong in the first place.

[Glyn Davies (Montgomeryshire) (Con)]

6. What his policy is on ensuring that legal aid is targeted at people with a strong connection to the UK.

[David Mowat (Warrington South) (Con)]

10. What his policy is on ensuring that legal aid is targeted at people with a strong connection to the UK.

[The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Chris Grayling)]

The Government believe that individuals should have a strong connection with the UK in order to benefit from the civil legal aid scheme, and we consider the residence test that we propose to be a fair and appropriate way in which to demonstrate that connection.

[Glyn Davies]

Will my right hon. Friend put an end to the availability of legal aid in relation to cases brought in the United Kingdom irrespective of any connection with this country, which encourages people to bring their disputes here?

[Chris Grayling]

I very much agree with my hon. Friend, although I do not think that Labour Members do, judging by the noises that they have been making. I think that the position is very simple. Our taxpayers pay the costs of civil legal aid, and I do not believe that people should be able to come to this country and have immediate access to our civil legal aid system. The test that we propose is designed to change that. I find it interesting that it is being challenged in court, but I am determined that British taxpayers should not be required to pay for legal aid for people who have no right to it because they have not earned it.