§ Mr. Hicksasked the Attorney-General what will be the cost to public funds if all the functions relating to the administration of legal aid in the South-West, area No. 4, are concentrated at Bristol; and what would be the net additional cost of establishing an area office, including the existing local function, at Plymouth; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralExcept for the issue of certain legal aid certificates, which, once issued, are handled by staff located in Bristol, all administrative functions relating to legal aid, advice and assistance in No. 4—South-Western—legal aid area have always been performed in Bristol. The additional annual cost of the separate offices at Bristol and Plymouth is estimated to be £72,000£429,000 as against £357,000. The service to the public and the profession will not be affected since committees will continue to meet as now in Devon and Cornwall, and the profession does business with the local offices only by post or telephone.