Legal Aid (Hansard, 19 June 1992)

§ Mr. Bermingham
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the current level of expenditure for the year 1991–92 in England and Wales on legal aid in respect of(a) civil litigation and (b) criminal litigation; and what proposals he has to reduce such expenditure levels.
681W

Mr. John M. Taylor
The estimated outturn of gross expenditure on legal aid in England and Wales in 1991–92—excluding advice and assistance under the "green form" or duty solicitor schemes—is:

£million

Civil legal aid 540

Criminal legal aid 400

These figures represent an increase of 28 per cent. overall on the equivalent figures for 1990–91. The Lord Chancellor has announced measures, including the introduction of standard fees in the magistrates courts, which will help to control the rate of increase in legal aid costs in future.

§ Mr. Bermingham
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what are his proposals for establishing eligibility for legal aid within the framework of altered levels for legal aid expenditure.

Mr. John M. Taylor
The financial limits for legal aid are reviewed annually. Most limits were uprated by 7 per cent. in April. Financial eligibility is being considered more generally in the review of financial conditions.

§ Mr. Bermingham
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proposals he has to limit admissibility of applications for legal aid for less serious charges; and what criteria he proposes to apply.

Mr. John M. Taylor
It is for the courts to decide whether to grant criminal legal aid in a particular case in accordance with the statutory criteria laid down by section 22 of the Legal Aid Act 1988.

§ Mr. Bermingham
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department by what amounts he proposes to make alterations in the level of legal aid expenditure; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John M. Taylor
Future plans for legal aid expenditure are set out in the report on the Government's expenditure plans 1992–93 to 1994–95 for the Lord Chancellor's and Law Officers' Departments (Cm 1910) published in February 1992. The Lord Chancellor will if necessary seek additional provision for legal aid in the current financial year.