§ Mr. John Browneasked the Attorney-General if he will make an estimate of the cost to the State of broken marriages in terms of the cost of legal aid granted in matters concerning marriage breakdown.
The Solicitor-GeneralNo separate figures for marriage breakdown are available. The gross cost of legal aid for all matrimonial proceedings in the High Court and county courts in the financial year 1980–81 was £30.16 million.
The net annual cost of legal advice and assistance in connection with divorce and judicial separation for the financial year 1980–81 was £7.59 million.