---

Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill

I have a great deal of respect for the hon. Gentleman, too. I mean that sincerely. I recall attending a police station to represent a doctor who had an NHS practice as well as a private practice. If he had said to me, ““Listen, I'll pay you,”” I would not have continued to advise him in what was a very important case. When a solicitor turns up at a police station in such circumstances, they cannot be sure they will be paid. Even if the doctor had given me an absolute, cast-iron assurance that I would get that money, the firm of solicitors that employed me would not have allowed me to stay there. That is why I disagreed with the amendment of the right hon. Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd (Mr Llwyd) in Committee. He suggested that two hours should be free, and then there could be charging. I disagree; I think anybody in a police-station scenario should be entitled to free and independent legal advice.