Mr. WalkerTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the 10 legal establishments in Northern Ireland which were awarded most in legal aid in the last two financial years and the amount awarded in each case. [44589]
656W
§ Mr. HoonThe administration of the legal aid scheme in Northern Ireland is the responsibility of the Law Society of Northern Ireland under the Legal Aid, Advice and Assistance (Northern Ireland) Order 1981. This function is exercised through the Legal Aid Committee which is a Committee of the Council of the Law Society of Northern Ireland and the Legal Aid Department which is a Department of the Law Society. The Legal Aid Department is also responsible for the administration of criminal legal aid on the Lord Chancellor's behalf.
The information can be provided only at disproportionate cost. The computer system in the Legal Aid Department is out of date and the Department is presently in the process of procuring a new computer. It will then take some considerable time before all new cases are in the system and in respect of which such information could be readily available.