§ Mr. Buchananasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons have been aided during the last six months by Scotland's Legal Aid Scheme; and what was the total cost.
§ Mr. RossPayments out of the Legal Aid Fund under the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1949 during the six months ended 30th September were as follows:
£ Civil Legal Aid Under section 1 … 299,689 Under section 5 … 40,972 Criminal Legal Aid … 189,110 Total … £529,771 In the same period contributions by assisted persons under the civil Legal Aid Scheme amounted to £54,087 and expenses recovered from opponents of legally assisted persons to £60,402.
Figures relating to the number of applications for legal aid granted in this period are not yet available. The following are the figures for the year 1st April, 1965–31st March, 1966:
Civil Legal Aid Certificates under section 1 7,327 Certificates under section 5 5,747 Criminal Legal Aid Persons represented on first appearance by duty solicitors 23,522 Applications granted in courts of first instance 7,381 Applications granted in connection with appeals 303