§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many applications there were for legal aid in 1993–94; how many staff are employed in total to check the financial394W data presented with each claim; how many staff on average check the financial data presented with such claims; and how many prosecutions there were for fraudulent claims in 1993–94.
Mr. John M. TaylorIn 1993–94, there were 413,728 applications for civil legal aid. Civil legal aid means assessments are carried out by trained specialist staff of the Benefits' Agency legal aid assessment office. The office has 134 assessment officers whose duties are to check and assess legal aid applications. In 1993, there were 606,041 applications for criminal legal aid. Applications are dealt with by magistrates court or Crown court centre staff. Prosecutions for fraudulent claims by applicants for legal aid are matters for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service. In 1993–94, the Legal Aid Assessment Office referred 15 cases to them.