Legal Aid

HC Deb 04 November 1975 vol 899 cc137-9W

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) to how many Service men legal aid was granted who were charged with offences under the list

SUMMARY OF CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY DEFICITS ON AERODROME NAVIGATION SERVICES
£000
	1972–73	1973–74	1974–75
England	1,463	2,228	3,226
Scotland	1,502	1,782	2,243
Wales	160	283	182

contained in Appendix X of the Queen's Regulations for the Army 1961, in 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971 and 1970, respectively;

(2) to how many Service men legal aid was granted who were charged with offences outside the list contained in Appendix X of the Queen's Regulations for the Army 1961, in 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971 and 1970, respectively;

(3) how many Service men who were charged with being absent without leave were granted legal aid in 1974, 1973, 1972 and 1971, respectively.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

This information is not available and could not be obtained without disproportionate effort.

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the scales of payment for solicitors and counsel on legal aid when appearing in courts martial.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

The current scales of payment agreed with the Law Society and the Bar Council are:

1. (a) For Solicitors
   1. (1) £34 for the first day.
   2. (2) £23 for any subsequent day.
   3. (3) £14 for preparing appeals, petitions or applications for leave to appeal.
   4. (4) Travel and subsistence costs at Estacode rates.
2. (b) For Counsel
   1. (1) £34 for each day's appearance in court, excluding clerks' fees.
   2. (2) £23 for each wasted day.
   3. (3) £2.35 conference fee in addition to (1).
   4. (4) £14 for preparing appeals, petitions or applications for leave to appeal.
   5. (5) Travel and subsistence costs at Estacode rates.

Higher scales of fees may be paid in respect of particularly difficult or complex cases.

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the cost of legal aid granted to Service men in 1974, 1973, 1972, 1971, and 1970, respectively;

(2) how many Service men who were charged with desertion in the last 12 months received legal aid to conduct their defence.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

This information is not readily available. I will arrange for it to be published in theOfficial Report in due course.

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to extend legal aid to Service men who are to be sentenced for the first time to a period of detention or imprisonment.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

I have no plans at present to extend the arrangements for granting legal aid to Service men. The possible consequence to the accused, if convicted, is one of the factors that may be taken into account in determining whether legal aid should be granted. The question of whether it is the first time a Service man has been charged with an offence does not in itself affect the provision of legal aid.