HL Deb 06 December 1977 vol 387 cc1601-2WA
Lord CHITNIS

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will list in the Official Report the eligibility limits for civil legal aid expressed as a percentage of (a) gross and (b) net average earnings for each year since 1970.

The LORD CHANCELLOR

The following tables list the upper and lower disposable income limits for civil legal aid expressed as a percentage of average gross earnings. Information regarding average net earnings is not available.

Year Upper Legal Aid disposable income limits(1) £ Average Gross earnings(2) £ Legal aid limits as % average gross earnings %
1970 13.46 28.50 47
1971 18.27 31.10 59
1972 18.27 34.50 53
1973 18.27 39.90 46
1974 22.60 45.10 50
1975 26.54 56.60 47
1976 34.42 67.40 51
1977 40.10 74.20 54

Year Lower Legal Aid disposable income limits(1) £ Average Gross earnings(2) £ Legal aid limits as % of average gross earnings %
1970 4.81 28.50 17
1971 5.77 31.10 19
1972 5.77 34.50 17
1973 5.77 39.90 14
1974 7.21 45.10 16
1975 8.46 56.60 15
1976 10.96 67.40 16
1977 12.79 74.20 17
(1) The disposable income limits for legal aid are those in force in April each year shown as weekly figures. Disposable means the income left after deductions have been made for necessary expenditure and allowances for dependants. The upper limit is the figure above which legal aid is not available. The lower limit is the figure below which legal aid is available free.
(2) Average gross weekly earnings of full-time manual men, aged 21 years and over, in manufacturing industries whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. Source: New Earnings Survey, Department of Employment. The average gross earnings figures are established in the month of April each year.