§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total amount of legal aid in the latest 12 month period for which figures are available; and in respect of what total number of cases such aid was given.
§ Mr. Harry EwingThe most recent year for which published figures are available is that ended 31st March 1975. The net cost of legal aid in civil and criminal cases—excluding legal advice and assistance and administration costs—was £2.607 million. During the year, 11,534 legal aid certificates were issued in civil cases and 17,465 in criminal cases. It is not, however, possible to relate the number of certificates issued to the total expenditure, because payments to and from the legal aid fund depend to a large extent on accounts for work done in previous years.