§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many accused persons applied for legal aid in criminal courts; how many applications were approved; and what was the total cost in each of the last three years.
§ Mr. Harry EwingThe information as to applications and costs is as follows:
Applications considered Number granted Cost £m. 1975–76 31,526 25,825 2.096 1976–77 38,014 29,962 2.800 1977–78* 35,355 32,371 4.022 * Provisional figures.
§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many accused 408W persons in receipt of legal aid in criminal courts tendered initial pleas of not guilty and altered their pleas to guilty up to the point at which the Crown case was opened in their trials in each of the last three years.
§ Mr. Harry EwingI regret that the precise information requested on changes of plea is not available. Information from the sheriff courts shows that a significant number of accused persons who have pled "not guilty" at the pleading diet and who have applied for and been granted legal aid subsequently change their plea to "guilty" at or before the trial diet.