§ Mr. BurnettTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of the potential savings accruing from the removal of money and damages claims from the scope of legal aid. [21314]
§ Mr. HoonOur spending plans remain unaffected by the proposed removal of money and damages claims from the scope of legal aid. The aim is to use the existing budget better. Until we have reached final decisions on the types of case that are to be excluded and other matters of important detail the expenditure implications cannot be quantified. That will not be until we have completed the extensive consultation we are currently undertaking.