§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the level of public funds granted in the last five years in legal aid to(a) people living abroad and (b) foreigners living in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement as to what checks are made by the Legal Aid Board as to the verifying the accuracy of financial statements made by (a) and (b) and their financial position in their own countries. [13499]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansInformation on legal aid expenditure granted to people living abroad is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Information on the nationality of applicants for legal aid is not separately recorded. It is therefore not possible to say how much legal aid was paid in respect of foreign nationals.
Applications from people living abroad and foreigners living in the United Kingdom are subject to the same tests as applications from British citizens resident in England and Wales.