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Criminal Defence Service Bill [Lords]

I thank Members on both sides of the House for participating in a useful and constructive debate on this small but extremely significant Bill. I do not believe that there is a great deal of disagreement in the House about the key principle that lies at the heart of the Bill—that those who can afford to pay for the cost of their own defence should in normal circumstances be invited to do so. I think that we are on common ground in seeking to ensure that the legal aid budget is managed on a sustainable basis. Several Conservative Members, particularly the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr. Djanogly), suggested that the reintroduction of a means test could threaten access to justice. However, it is not about denying the right to representation but about determining whether it is right and proper that the state should meet the cost of that representation in all cases.