§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what proportion of applicants during the period of trial of the postal declaration forms for civil e gal aid in each of the following groups were assessed as financially ineligible for legal aid (a) those who declared their means on the postal forms and (b) those assessed at an interview;
(2) what proportion of applicants in each of the following groups during the period of trial of the postal declaration forms for civil legal aid were assessed to pay nil contribution (a) those who declared their means on the postal forms and (b) those assessed at an interview.
§ Dr. Boyson[pursuant to his reply, 9 May 1984, c. 402]: A comparison of determinations made during the trial period, using the postal form and interviews, showed that the form produced a very small increase (0.8 per cent.) in the number of applicants entitled to free legal aid and a slight reduction (0.2 per cent.) in the number of ineligible on financial grounds for any civil legal aid.
§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the result of the preliminary trial of the postal declaration form for civil legal aid means assessment.
§ Dr. Boyson[pursuant to his reply, 9 May 1984, c. 402]: The trial showed that the form eliminated the need for an interview in all but 2 per cent. of cases; produced assessments not materially different from those based upon an interview and improved service to the public by significantly reducing the time taken to process applications.