§ Mr. Eyreasked the Attorney-General, in view of the growing number of people with modest incomes excluded from the operation of the Legal Aid and Advice Act due to the fall in the value of money, what plans he has to extend the scheme to cover those now excluded; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralIn its 17th Report, the Legal Aid Advisory Committee made proposals for increasing the financial limits of the Legal Aid Scheme at an estimated cost of £170,000, and of improving the Legal Advice Scheme at an estimated cost of £236,000. I regret that in my reply to the hon. Member for Bolton, West (Mr. Oakes) on 27th June this latter figure was incorrectly given as £360,000. In present economic circumstances effect cannot yet be given to either of the Committee's recommendations.—[Vol. 785, c.314.]
§ Mr. Eyreasked the Attorney-General, in view of the increased office expenses being borne by solicitors, whether he will take steps to abolish the 10 per cent. levy made upon legal fees under the Legal Aid and Advice Scheme.
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo. The remuneration of solicitors is under con270W tinuous review by the National Board for Prices and Incomes and solicitors' office expenses fall to be considered in the course of that investigation.