§ Mr. Barnettasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total in the last financial year paid by his Department to all local authorities in Lancashire with an analysis of such payments under the appropriate categories, and a comparison of each on a per capita basis with all other counties.
§ Mr. John MackieThe following table gives the information requested in respect of the grants paid to local authorities in Lancashire in the financial year ended 31st March, 1968:—
cost of legal aid for additional divorce suits arising from the enactment of the Divorce Reform Bill.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Law Commission estimated, in the light of comparable Australian experience, that the introduction of long separation as a ground for divorce might lead to an annual increase in this country of about 4,900 petitions. This was necessarily a very tentative estimate and should not be taken as a reliable guide. However, on this basis I accept that the increased cost of legal aid would be of the order of £300,000 to £400,000 per annum.