HC Deb 24 July 1987 vol 120 cc506-7W
Mr. Vaz

asked the Attorney-General how much public money has been paid to private solicitors through (a) the criminal legal aid scheme, and (b) the civil legal aid scheme in each of the last 10 years.

The Attorney-General

The table gives the gross amounts paid to solicitors through(a) the criminal legal aid scheme and (b) the civil legal aid scheme in each of the last 10 years. It is not possible to separate the amounts paid to solicitors and to counsel for criminal legal aid in the higher courts for the years before 1984–85.

licensed conveyancers and other interested parties, seeking their views; (c) a draft of the scheme will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Attorney-General whether an appointment will be made to bring up to 10 the number of members of the Council for Licensed Conveyancers as is provided for in paragraph 3 of schedule 3 to the Administration of Justice Act 1985; and whether a practising conveyancer will be appointed to fill the vacancy.

The Attorney-General

Mr. Peter Davis, a practising licensed conveyancer and the secretary of the National Association of Conveyancers, was appointed to the Council for Licensed Conveyancers as from 16 July 1987. There are now 11 members of the council, including the chairman.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Attorney-General what was the cost of the Council for Licensed Conveyancers for the first year of its operation from March 1986.

The Attorney-General

The cost for licensed conveyancers for the year from 1 April 1986 to 31 March 1987 was £102,996.83. The financial year of the council runs from 1 April to 31 March and disproportionate cost would be involved in trying to obtain figures for 1 March 1986 to 28 February 1987.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Attorney-General what staff the Council for Licensed Conveyancers has; what are the ages and qualifications of the secretary and assistant secretary and the education/examinations officer of that council; and what was the total for wages and salaries and employer's national insurance contributions paid out by that council in its first year since March 1986.

The Attorney-General

The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has six staff comprising the secretary, the assistant secretary (who is also the education and examination officer), two administrative officers and two administrative assistants.

Office First Registrations Transfer of Part/Dispositionary First Lease Dealing All Categories
Croydon 56 100 57 77
Harrow 49 136 60 90
Tunbridge Wells 180 215 56 114
Lytham 140 107 65 113
Nottingham 170 115 20 95
Gloucester 165 165 65 114
Stevenage 155 115 42 82
Durham 102 97 49 83
Plymouth 130 129 75 120
Swansea 135 85 44 103
Birkenhead 116 123 60 98
Weymouth 154 99 48 91
Peterborough 138 87 33 89

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