§ Rev. Martin Smythasked the Attorney-General what was the cost to the legal aid fund of providing legal advice regarding, and taking court action against, hospital doctors and hospitals in Northern Ireland during each of the financial years 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84 and 1984–85.
§ The Attorney-GeneralInformation in the form requested is not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Rev. Martin Smythasked the Attorney-General how many legal aid certificates were issued during each of the financial years from 1980–81 to 1984–85 with a view to litigation against hospitals or hospital doctors working in Northern Ireland.
§ The Attorney-GeneralStatistics in the form requested are not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The following table shows the figures for certificates issued in the five-year period in
1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 Total cases concluded 20 22 26 34 46 Judgment for plaintif (with charges) — — — 1 2 Judgment against plaintiff 1 — — 1 — Settled 6 5 5 23 17 Withdrawn 13 17 21 9 27