§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellors Department what is the estimated cost so far to the Legal Aid Board of franchising, including the full cost of recruiting and training quality auditors; and what are the expected costs for the financial year 1994–95.
Mr. John M. TaylorThe cost of franchising to the Legal Aid Board in the years prior to 1993–94 is not available. At that time, the cost was relatively small and consisted largely of the time of senior officials at the board developing the policy behind franchising. In 1993–94 the board began to recruit and train staff for the implementation of franchising. The cost of franchising to the board in 1993–94 was £3.4 million. For 1994–95 expenditure of £3.9 million has been budgeted.