Birmingham Pub Bombings: Legal Aid

Debate between Oliver Heald and Mike Wood

Wednesday 26th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[Sir Oliver Heald]

As I have indicated, the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office are looking at the best way forward. We want to learn the lessons from Hillsborough and regard the report being prepared by Bishop Jones as an important part of that. The issue is not so much whether the funding is through the legal aid fund or through a Hillsborough-type approach as the fact that the families should be represented if the case requires. That is the system we are trying to create.

[Mike Wood (Dudley South) (Con)]

Will the Minister give way?

[Sir Oliver Heald]

I have about half a second, but I will, quickly.

[Mike Wood]

Does the Minister recognise that the basic test of fairness for the families is that they all need access to representation and that that representation needs to be at the same level as that of other parties in the inquest?

[Sir Oliver Heald]

Yes, and it is important—