§ Mr. VazTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what inquiries he undertook to determine the ability of those who will have to pay higher contributions to their legal fees as a result of the changes to legal aid regulations announced in the last autumn statement to afford these contributions; and what plans he has to monitor the new regulations to ensure that applicants are in fact able to pay the new contributions.
Mr. John M. TaylorContributions to legal aid are one third of disposable income above the free limit after a generous range of allowances has been made against gross income. When an offer of legal aid with a contribution is made, it is for the individual concerned to assess his priorities and to decide whether or not to accept it. The operation of the new financial eligibility regulations will be closely monitored.