HL Deb 27 July 1977 vol 386 c1116WA
Lord CHAMPION

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they intend to raise the limits for legal aid, advice and assistance.

The LORD CHANCELLOR (Lord Elwyn-Jones)

In accordance with the practice whereby the limits for legal aid are increased in line with increases in social security benefits, I propose to raise the limits in November, 1977.

The increases proposed will be as follows:

  1. 1. to raise the lower disposable income limit for legal aid from £665 to £760 a year;
  2. 2. to raise the upper disposable income limit for legal aid from £2,085 to £2,400 a year:
  3. 3. to raise the lower disposable income limit for legal advice and assistance from £20 to £23 a week;
  4. 4. to raise the upper disposable income limit for legal advice and assistance from £42 to £48 a week;
  5. 5. to raise the lower disposable capital limit for legal aid and the disposable capital limit for legal advice and assistance from £300 to £340; and
  6. 6. to raise the discretionary upper disposable capital limit for legal aid from £1,400 to £1,600.
All the measures involved will be embodied in regulations which must be approved by Resolutions of each House of Parliament before they can come into force.