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green form scheme, to assist applicants to make representations to the commission. The commission's procedures will be investigative, so no additional form of legal aid will be necessary. Once a case has been referred to the courts, the appellant may apply for legal aid for the appeal. As to judicial review of commission decisions, those challenging a judicial review might get civil legal aid, depending on their individual circumstances.The hon. Member for Upper Bann asked about the relationship between the Police Complaints Authority and the commission. I recognise the potential for overlap, which will require co-operation between both bodies. Under present arrangements, where such an overlap occurs it results in a single investigation under the PCA's supervision. Similar administrative arrangements will be needed when the commission takes over the Secretary of State's powers. The scope of the commission's inquiries may go wider than the PCA.
I was asked about the situation in Scotland. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has appointed a committee to examine possible miscarriages of justice there and what should be the response of the Scottish Office, and I understand that that committee is due to report in 1996.
As to the laws of evidence, I intimated that the Law Commission is examining that aspect. I was also asked whether the commission would be able to obtain transcripts of certain cases. The answer is yes, the commission can get transcripts; it can get anything it likes, within its generous £4.4 million budget.
Our criminal justice system has rightly been the envy of the world. If it is to remain so, we must be continually developing and refining it, acknowledging and learning the lessons of what has worked well and what has gone wrong. The Bill is the result of much thinking and much experience, not only in Government but outside, especially on the part of the royal commission. I believe that its contribution to the quality of our system of justice will be both lasting and substantial. I commend the Bill to the House.
Question put and agreed to.
Bill accordingly read a Second time, and committed to a Standing Committee, pursuant to Standing Order No. 61 (Committal of Bills).
Queen's recommendation having been signified--
Motion made, and Question put forthwith, pursuant to Order [19 December] ,
That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Criminal Appeal Bill, it is expedient to authorise--
(1) the payment out of money provided by Parliament of-- (a) any expenditure of the Secretary of State incurred in connection with the Criminal Cases Review Commission; and
(b) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable under any other Act out of money so provided; and
(2) any payments into the Consolidated Fund.
To be decided forthwith, pursuant to Order [19th December].--[ Mr. Conway. ]
Question agreed to.
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Motion made, and Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 131(2)(Liaison Committee),
That this House agrees with the Report [22nd February] of the Liaison Committee.--[ Mr. Conway. ]
Question agreed to.
Madam Speaker: With the leave of the House, I shall put together the Questions on motions Nos. 4 to 8.
Motion made, and Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 101(5)(Standing Committees on Statutory Instruments, &c.),
That the draft Children's Evidence (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, which was laid before this House on 9th February, be approved. That the draft Wildlife (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, which was laid before this House on 30th January, be approved.
That the Leeds Development Corporation (Area and Constitution) Order 1995, dated 6th February 1995, a copy of which was laid before this House on 9th February, be approved.
That the draft Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1989 (Enforcement of External Orders) Order 1995, which was laid before this House on 16th February, be approved.--[ Mr. Conway. ] Question agreed to.
Motion made, and Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 102 (European Standing Committees) ,
That this House takes note of European Community Document No. 7988/94, relating to a Partnership and Co-operation Agreement with the Russian Federation, and the unnumbered Explanatory Memorandum submitted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 27th January 1995, relating to an Interim Agreement with the Russian Federation; and recognises that these Agreements will offer substantial encouragement to the process of reform in the Russian Federation through enhanced political and economic co-operation with the European Union. Question agreed to.
Motion made, and Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 102 (European Standing Committees),
That this House takes note of European Document No. 7484/93, relating to the posting of workers; and endorses the Government's view that the present text of the draft Directive is bureaucratic, anti-competitive and protectionist in nature, and that it would erect barriers to a free market and damage the effective operation of the Single Market.-- [Mr. Conway.]
The House divided: Ayes 152, Noes 56.
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Division No. 95] [10.00 pmAYES
Column 116
Alexander, RichardAmess, David
Ancram, Michael
Arbuthnot, James
Ashby, David
Atkins, Robert
Atkinson, Peter (Hexham)
Baker, Rt Hon Kenneth (Mole V)
Baker, Nicholas (North Dorset)
Bates, Michael
Batiste, Spencer
Booth, Hartley
Bowden, Sir Andrew
Bowis, John
Brandreth, Gyles
Bright, Sir Graham
Brooke, Rt Hon Peter
Browning, Mrs Angela
Burt, Alistair
Butler, Peter
Carrington, Matthew
Carttiss, Michael
Chapman, Sydney
Clarke, Rt Hon Kenneth (Ru'clif)
Clifton-Brown, Geoffrey
Congdon, David
Conway, Derek
Coombs, Simon (Swindon)
Cope, Rt Hon Sir John
Currie, Mrs Edwina (S D'by'ire)
Davies, Quentin (Stamford)
Day, Stephen
Deva, Nirj Joseph
Devlin, Tim
Dorrell, Rt Hon Stephen
Douglas-Hamilton, Lord James
Dover, Den
Duncan, Alan
Elletson, Harold
Emery, Rt Hon Sir Peter
Evans, Nigel (Ribble Valley)
Faber, David
Fabricant, Michael
Fenner, Dame Peggy
Field, Barry (Isle of Wight)
Fishburn, Dudley
Fox, Sir Marcus (Shipley)
French, Douglas
Gale, Roger
Gallie, Phil
Gardiner, Sir George
Garel-Jones, Rt Hon Tristan
Garnier, Edward
Gill, Christopher
Gillan, Cheryl
Greenway, Harry (Ealing N)
Greenway, John (Ryedale)
Griffiths, Peter (Portsmouth, N)
Grylls, Sir Michael
Hague, William
Hamilton, Rt Hon Sir Archibald
Hamilton, Neil (Tatton)
Harris, David
Hawksley, Warren
Heald, Oliver
Heathcoat-Amory, David
Hendry, Charles
Horam, John
Howard, Rt Hon Michael
Jack, Michael
Johnson Smith, Sir Geoffrey
Jones, Gwilym (Cardiff N)
Jones, Robert B (W Hertfdshr)
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