§ 47. Mr. Chopeasked the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the latest progress of the negotiations between the General Council of the Bar and the Lord Chancellor about fees for criminal legal aid.
§ 49. Mr. Maclennanasked the Attorney-General what recent steps Her Majesty's Government have taken regarding the remuneration of barristers and solicitors for legal aid work.
§ 50. Mr. Nicholas Brownasked the Attorney-General if he will make a statement on the remuneration of the Bar for criminal legal aid work.
§ The Attorney-GeneralDiscussions between officials and representatives of the Bar on criminal legal aid remuneration are proceeding in accordance with an agreed timetable which provides for a decision by the Lord Chancellor by 16 July. Regulations uprating the current levels of remuneration by approximately 5 per cent. came into operation on 1 April.
§ Mr. ChopeIs my right hon. and learned Friend able to assure the House that sufficient funds will be available to pay such remuneration as is decided upon as a result of the negotiations? Is he aware that the 1984 figures show that barristers aged between 32 and 37 were earning only £8,700 a year on average? That was the median figure.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThat is a direct quote from Coopers and Lybrand. The Lord Chancellor's decision whether more funds should be made available will be made in the light of all relevant considerations, including the relevant provisions of the Legal Aid Act 1974, and also in accordance with the statutory requirement that any increase must be met from moneys provided by Parliament and subject to Parliament's control.
§ Mr. MaclennanDoes the Attorney-General agree that it is relevant to consider that the availability of justice to the less well-off members of our society depends on those people who carry out legal aid work being adequately remunerated?
§ The Attorney-GeneralYes, that is certainly one of the considerations that my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor will have to take into account.
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownFollowing the remarks made by his hon. and learned Friend the Solicitor-General in our debate on legal aid last Tuesday, will the Attorney-General give an assurance that if extra funds are to be found for the remuneration of the Bar, the financial burden of that will not be placed on the consumers of legal services under the legal aid scheme?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThat must be one of the many matters which my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor will have to consider.