§ Mr. HuttonTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many firms of solicitors are currently being investigated for alleged legal aid fraud by the Legal Aid Board; and what were the figures in each of the last five years. [28318]
Mr. John M. TaylorThe number of detailed investigations currently being undertaken by the Legal Aid Board against solicitors' firms for alleged legal aid fraud is 87. These are all cases which have been carried forward from 1994–95. To date, no new cases have been undertaken this financial year.
The number of detailed investigations in each of the last five years is as follows:
Financial year Cases brought forward from previous year New cases started Total cases during year 1990–91 31 28 59 1991–92 53 25 78 1992–93 60 38 98 1993–94 74 32 106 1994–95 89 28 117