§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Attorney-General what estimate he has made of the number of people potentially within the scope of the benefits of legal aid in each of the past five years.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralIt is not possible to make reliable estimates of the number of people eligible for legal aid as the legal aid limits are based on disposable income and capital—that is, the income and capital left after allowances have been made for dependants and dedeductions made for debts and necessary expenses such as income tax, national insurance, rent, rates, mortgage payments, hire purchase payments, travelling to work, etc. A recent study by the Special Consultant to the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Legal Aid, with the help of the Central Statistical Office, showed that in 1973 an estimated 40 per cent. of the population was eligible for legal aid on income grounds. Since then annual upratings in the limits appear to have maintained that level.
§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Attorney-General what is the present annual cost of legal aid.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralThe total cost of civil and criminal legal aid in England and Wales for 1976–77 was £69,383,215.