§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Attorney-General whether he has any evidence that the present level of remuneration paid to solicitors in respect of the Green Form Legal Assistance and Advice Scheme is affecting the readiness of solicitors to accept work under the scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralMy noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has no such evidence.
§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Attorney-General what representations he has received concerning the level of remuneration paid to solicitors in respect of the Green Form Legal Assistance and Advice Scheme; and what replies he has sent.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralMy noble Friend has received no such representations.
§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Attorney-General what is the level of hourly remuneration paid to solicitors in respect of the Green Form Legal Assistance and Advice Scheme; and how this compares with his estimate of the level of remuneration received by solicitors in respect of private legal work.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralMy noble Friend is not responsible for setting the levels of remuneration paid to solicitors for work done under the Legal Advice and Assistance Scheme. It is for area committees of the Law Society, which are responsible for administering the scheme, to assess what is fair and reasonable remuneration for work necessarily done. The Royal Commission on Legal Services is at present inquiring into the arrangements for determining the remuneration, whether from private sources or public funds, of the legal profession.