HC Deb 21 January 1993 vol 217 cc405-6W
Mr. Watson

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average legal aid cost of a Court of Session proof day.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The information is not available in the form requested. In 1991–92 the average legal aid cost of a case in the Court of Session was £2,834.

Mr. Watson

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Ayr (Mr. Gallie) on 16 November 1992,Official Report, column 780, what proportion of the population of Scotland he estimates will be eligible for legal aid from April;

(2) pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Ayr (Mr. Gallie) on 16 November 1992, Official Report, column 780, what proportion of the population of Scotland he estimates will be eligible for legal advice and assistance from April;

(3) what proportion of the population of Scotland is currently eligible for legal advice and assistance;

(4) what proportion of the population of Scotland is currently eligible for legal aid.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Given the variations over time in individual's circumstances it is not possible to estimate with any precision the proportion of the adult population eligible for legal aid.

Analysis of data from the family expenditure survey suggests that in Scotland the percentage of households which would be eligible for civil legal aid under the proposed changes to eligibility criteria would be in the range of 45 to 55 per cent. with between 20 to 30 per cent. free of contribution. Similar figures would apply to advice and assistance. This represents a reduction of between 5 and 10 per cent. of the households currently eligible in financial terms.

Mr. Watson

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what amount he expects to be saved from the current legal advice and assistance budget, as a result of the proposed changes to the legal advice and assistance system in each of the next five financial years.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

The purpose of the proposed changes announced on 16 November is to ensure the continuation of reasonable access to legal aid for the most needy, while at the same time taking action to control the rate of growth in legal aid expenditure. The proposed changes are expected to reduce forecast expenditure on the legal advice and assistance system by around £3 million and £4 million in 1993–94 rising to around £5 million in 1997–98. Total expenditure on legal aid will, however, continue to increase and in financial year 1995–96 it is expected to be 40 per cent. higher than the planned expenditure for the current year.