Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill

Stephen Pound Excerpts

Monday 31st October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Guy Opperman]

I am grateful for the advice and assistance, Mr Speaker, and I will conclude in approximately one and a half minutes—

[Stephen Pound (Ealing North) (Lab)]

Too long.

[Guy Opperman]

I am most grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that observation—from his usual sedentary position. If he had taken more exercise, he could have stood up to say it.

In broad terms, will complex cases concerning children be subject to exceptional funding? That is the first point that the Minister needs to address.

The second point that I ask the Minister to take away with him is whether, in a complex child case and, particularly, in cerebral palsy cases, a joint or an independent report could not be commissioned, so that there is an assessment at that stage of whether there is a case to answer. If there is a case to answer, the obtaining of legal aid would clearly follow thereafter; if there is not, the matter would not proceed.

On that quiet note, and with apologies to the sedentary hon. Member for Ealing North (Stephen Pound), I resume my seat.

--- Later in debate ---

Bill to be further considered tomorrow.

[Stephen Pound (Ealing North) (Lab)]

On a point of order, Mr Speaker. In a few short minutes, the Serjeant at Arms leaves the service of this House. What mechanism exists for the House to show its affection and respect for someone who was not only the first female Serjeant at Arms, but quite simply one of the very finest holders of that office?

[Hon. Members]

Hear, hear.