§ Mr. Cordleasked the Attorney-General whether he is satisfied with the working of the legal aid scheme.
The Attorney-GeneralCriticisms are made from time to time about the legal aid scheme, particularly in relation to the financial conditions. The Lord Chancellor's Legal Aid Advisory Committee is presently examining afresh the whole basis of the financial limits for legal aid and its annual report will be published later this month. If the hon. Member has any particular matter which he would like to bring to my attention, my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor will be glad to look into it.
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Attorney-General what are the present financial limits for the grant of legal aid; and when they were fixed.
The Attorney-GeneralA person is normally eligible for legal aid in civil proceedings if his disposable capital is not more than £1,200 and his disposable income is not more than £1,380. A contribution is normally payable if his disposable capital is more than £250 or his disposable income is more than £440. The capital limits were introduced on 18th December 1972 and the income limits on 1st September 1974.
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Attorney-General to what level the present upper financial limits for the grant of legal aid would need to be raised to regain their real value as at the date when they were fixed.
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The Attorney-GeneralThe present-day equivalents of the capital and income limits for legal aid would be of the order of £1,530 and £1,420 respectively.
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Attorney-General if he will take measures to increase the upper financial limits for the grant of legal aid substantially and to reduce the present level of assessed contributions.
The Attorney-GeneralThere are no proposals at present to increase the upper financial limits for the grant of legal aid or to reduce the present level of assessed contributions, but these matters are constantly under review by my noble Friend.