§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Attorney-General if he will list all organisations and persons who have made representations to the Lord Chancellor over proposals from the efficiency team of legal aid scrutiny for the hiving-off of legal advice and assistance work; if he will indicate how many of these representations have been in favour of the scrutiny proposals and how many against; and if he will indicate what steps Her Majesty's Government now intend to take in this respect.
§ The Attorney-GeneralSome 140 representations were received in response to the Lord Chancellor's request for comments on the recommendations in the report of the legal aid scrutiny. The Government intend to publish their response to the report in the new year, and that will contain a full list of those who made representations. Many of the recommendations have met with widespread support. There has also been support for the basic objectives underlying the report's recommendations on legal advice and assistance. A majority of those responding is, however, opposed to the detailed proposals in this area.
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§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Attorney-General whether the Lord Chancellor intends to place any constraints upon legal aid expenditure; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralSince 1979, legal aid expenditure has more than trebled in cash terms, and more than doubled in real terms, which is a clear indication of the Government's continuing commitment to a healthy legal aid scheme. Nevertheless, legal aid expenditure cannot be considered in isolation from other competing demands on public funds and must be seen in the context of the Government's policies on public expenditure as a whole. The Government are always looking for ways of improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the legal aid scheme. A number of proposals were put forward in the recent legal aid scrutiny report. The Government will be announcing their decision on these in the new year.
§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Attorney-General whether Her Majesty's Government intend to implement interim proposals for reducing delays in (a) determining applications and (b) paying moneys due to lawyers for legal aid work.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI assume the hon. Member is referring to proposals put forward in the recent legal aid scrutiny. The Government will be announcing their response in the new year.