HC Deb 27 July 1977 vol 936 cc234-5W
Mr. Gould

asked the Attorney-General in what percentage of the cases involving a legally aided litigant the legally aided party is successful.

Mr. Arthur Davidson

From 1950 to 1976, 87 per cent. of legally aided litigants in civil cases were successful.

Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Attorney-General whether he will arrange for an annual revision of legal aid fees, as recommended by the Senate of the Inns of Court and Bar.

Mr. Arthur Davidson

The remuneration of the legal profession is at present under examination by the Royal Corn-mission on Legal Services, to which the Senate's recommendation was made. Legal aid fees in criminal cases are a matter for the Home Secretary.

Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Attorney-General what he estimates to be the proportion of the population eligible for legal aid when it was introduced and the proportion of the population eligible in July 1976.

Mr. Arthur Davidson

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer which my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General gave to the hon. Member for Caernarvon (Mr. Wigley) on 19th April.

Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Attorney-General whether he will revise the financial qualification for legal aid so as to restore its availability to the same percentage of the population as were eligible for legal aid when it was first introduced.

Mr. Arthur Davidson

My noble Friend has already announced that he intends to improve the financial limits for legal aid as soon as sufficient resources are available. In the meantime my noble Friend proposes to continue his policy of increasing the limits annually to offset the effects of inflation.