HC Deb 10 February 1977 vol 925 cc830-1W
Mr. Richard Wainwright

asked the Attorney-General how many persons were granted legal aid in England in each of the last five years.

The Solicitor-General

Information about the number of persons granted legal aid is not available. A person may apply for and be granted legal aid at more than one stage of the proceedings.

The numbers of civil legal aid certificates issued in England and Wales for each of the last five financial years were:

1971–72 202,210
1972–73 183,972
1973–74 177,451
1974–75 196,580
1975–76 203,908

The numbers of applications for criminal legal aid granted in England and Wales for each of the last five calendar years were:

1971 186,996
1972 217,013
1973 244,332
1974 292,988
1975 336,368