§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the average contribution payable by an applicant for civil legal aid in Scotland in the latest year for which figures are available and for the preceding three years.
§ Mr. YoungerThe information is not available in the form requested. However the following table illustrates the contributions payable by assisted persons in the range of nil to over £250 in the Court of Session and the sheriff courts.
Year Total net cost of legal aid (excluding administration) Per cent. increase in year Total no. of cases for which accounts were paid Per cent. difference in year £000 Percentage Percentage 1981–82 18,767 40 110,490 + 30 1982–83 26,893 43 120,393 +9 1983–84 29,118 8 112,951 -6
§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the present upper disposable income limit above which an applicant is ineligible for legal aid in civil proceedings in Scotland, together with the lower income 555W limit below which no contribution is payable and the upper capital limit; and if he will list the variations in these figures over the last three years.
26 November 1984 29 November 1983 1 April 1983 1 April 1982 £ £ £ £ Upper disposable income limit 5,155 4,925 4,720 4,440 Lower disposable income limit 2,145 2,050 1,965 1,850 Upper capital limit 4,710 4,500 4,000 2,725