The Justice Select Committee heard oral evidence on housing legal aid after LASPO today, 21 October 2014. Representatives from HLPA, Shelter and Garden Court Chambers gave evidence. The recording is here, if the video below doesn’t work.

In the course of questioning, committee member Christopher Chope, MP for Christchurch, makes the intriguing assertion that every housing benefit problem presented by a constituent at his surgery has been sorted by an MP’s letter, and he wonders why legal aid for HB issues might be required for just that reason.

As Mr Chope MP appears to have magical powers, (or not many people present with HB problems at his surgery), this looks to me like a clear invitation for all people with HB issues in the Christchurch constituency to attend Mr Chope’s surgeries, and for local advice agencies to refer people to his surgeries. After all, one letter from him will sort things.