Oral Answers to Questions

Stuart C McDonald Excerpts
Tuesday 6th March 2018

(6 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Phillip Lee Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Dr Phillip Lee)
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This situation was truly appalling—the hon. Lady knows that I think that. The review was comprehensive, so I will not be changing any decisions any time soon. My heart goes out to all those involved, as clearly this was very traumatic, but the review was comprehensive.

Stuart C McDonald Portrait Stuart C. McDonald (Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East) (SNP)
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Instead of carrying out their in-house review of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, should Ministers not follow the excellent example of the Scottish Government by having an independent review of legal aid, and perhaps looking at how the Scottish scheme has managed to achieve greater scope and eligibility but with lower costs?

Lucy Frazer Portrait Lucy Frazer
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The review of legal aid will be important. We will be inviting a number of independent experts to give evidence so that we can make the necessary decisions.