(1)The Court of Appeal may at any time when it appears to the Court, in the case of an appeal from the Court under this Part of this Act or of proceedings preliminary or incidental to such an appeal, that it is desirable in the interests of justice that the defendant should have legal aid, and that he has not sufficient means to enable him to obtain that aid, assign to him (whether he is appellant or respondent in the appeal) a solicitor and counsel, or counsel only, in the appeal or proceedings.
(2)If on a question of granting a person free legal aid under this section there is a doubt whether his means are sufficient to enable him to obtain legal aid or whether it is desirable in the interests of justice that he should have free legal aid, the doubt shall be resolved in favour of granting him free legal aid.
(3)The fees of any counsel, and the expenses and fees of any solicitor, assigned to a defendant by virtue of this section, in either case up to an amount allowed by the House of Lords or by such officer or officers of that House as may be prescribed by order of that House, shall be paid by the Secretary of State.