HC Deb 01 July 1996 vol 280 cc339-40W
35. Mr. John Marshall

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when he intends to publish proposals to amend the legal aid scheme. [34017]

42. Mr. Flynn

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what new proposals he has to reduce the total cost of legal aid. [33700]

Mr. Streeter

The Lord Chancellor expects very shortly to announce his proposals for the reform of the legal aid scheme.

37. Mr. Steen

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to ensure that legal aid is not available to nationals of countries which do not have reciprocal arrangements for United Kingdom nationals. [33695]

Mr. Streeter

It would not be right to place nationality restrictions on the availability of legal aid for those faced with criminal charges in this country. The Lord Chancellor will announce his proposals for fundamental reform of the legal aid system shortly. An important part of these reforms will be to ensure that the money available for civil legal aid goes to those in the greatest need.

Mr. Flynn

to ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list by decile the amounts paid from, and the number of recipients of, the legal aid fund in each of the last five years. [35027]

Mr. Streeter

The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.