§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the total cost from the coming into operation of the Legal Aid and Advice Act (N.I.) 1965 of civil legal aid; what is the amount which was paid in fees to solicitors and barristers; and how many members of the professions have been involved as beneficiaries of fees payable from public funds for legal aid.
§ Mr. CarterThe net cost of civil legal aid in Northern Ireland to public funds from the coming into operation of the Legal Aid and Advice Act (Northern Ireland) 1965 to 31st March 1977 was £1,099,459.
The gross fees paid to solicitors and barristers in the same period was £1,834,913. The cost to public funds of these fees was offset to a certain extent by contributions received from legally aided persons and costs recovered on their behalf.
198WStatistics are not readily available to show the number of members of the legal profession who have received payment from public funds in respect of civil legal aid. However, 227 firms of solicitors are currently in receipt of payments in respect of their services in this field.
§ Mr. Frank Maguireasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what legal aid is available to individuals to pursue claims of criminal injury against the security forces in the absence of a public prosecution.
§ Mr. CarterLegal aid in respect of claims arising out of personal injuries is available in Northern Ireland in accordance with the provisions of the Legal Aid and Advice Act (Northern Ireland) 1965 and the regulations made there-under.