HC Deb 31 July 1978 vol 955 cc33-4W
Mrs. Wise

asked the Attorney-General how many neighbourhood law centres there are; and what steps he is taking to encourage the setting up of more.

The Solicitor-General

There are 27 agencies recognised as law centres in England and Wales and one in Belfast. My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor is aware of plans to establish other centres and his officials have met representatives from a number of interested local groups. When resources become available, it is his intention to give high priority to the provision of further financial assistance for law centres.

Mrs. Wise

asked the Attorney-General what is the cost to public funds of (a) legal aid and (b) law centres.

The Solicitor-General

The net cost of civil and criminal legal aid in England and Wales for 1977–78 was £81,752,000. In the same period it is estimated that the sum of £527,350 was paid from central Government funds in grants to law centres.

court will almost invariably be influenced by the decision of the Court of Justice on the question referred, there are no circumstances in which the decision of the Court of Justice can result in an alteration of the decision of the United Kingdom court The decision of the Court of Justice is currently awaited in the five cases marked with an asterisk.