HC Deb 08 March 1982 vol 19 cc347-8W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Attorney-General how much has been spent on legal aid for matrimonial cases each year since 1970; and what proportion of the total legal aid bill this represented in each case.

The Solicitor-General

The cost of legal aid bills for matrimonial proceedings in the High Court and county courts paid since 1970, and the proportion it bears to the cost of civil legal aid bills paid for all proceedings in those courts is:

£ million per cent.
1970–71 6.35 69.9
1971–72 7.98 64.3
1972–73 10.66 69.3
1973–74 10.73 73.8
1974–75 13.06 73.8
1975–76 16.42 73.8
1976–77 21.11 72.8
1977–78 23.9 70.5
1978–79 23.83 64.8
1979–80 23.46 60.5
1980–81 30.92 59.4

These figures do not take account of family proceedings in magistrates' courts, or advice and assistance in divorce proceedings and other family matters.