§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their estimate of the number of banisters earning more than £200,000 annually from criminal legal aid; and what is their estimate of the number of banisters earning more than £200,000 annually from civil legal aid.
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Mackay of Clashfern):It is estimated that four banisters received more than £200,000 in fees (excluding VAT and travelling expenses) from criminal legal aid in 1993–94, being the latest year for which figures are available. For civil legal aid, information is available only in respect of total payments made to barristers, and these will include VAT and travelling expenses in addition to counsel's fees. It is estimated that 12 barristers received payments of more than £200,000 in 1993–94.