Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill

My Lords, I regret to say that I do not find the Minister’s answer satisfactory. It is true that many people find the telephone advice line to be perfectly acceptable, but others do not. Telephone advice lines are not the best option for delivering advice to older people, those with language difficulties, or who do not understand English very well. However, this is not about advice, it is about the determination of financial eligibility, and there may be cause for people to appeal against decisions. It is difficult to do that on the basis of a telephonic communication. That is all this amendment requires. Although I beg leave to withdraw the amendment, I cannot say that the Minister has satisfied us about the difficulties which we envisage the proposal will create. It might be something that we have to return to. Amendment 110 withdrawn. Clause 20 agreed. Clause 21 : Information about financial resources Amendment 111 Clause 21 : Information about financial resources Amendment 111 Moved by