§ Mrs. GoldingTo ask the Attorney-General why information is not available in respect of the amount of legal aid moneys recovered in 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987 and paid in respect of a solicitor who at the relevant time did not hold a current practising certificate; and whether he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe information is not available because recoveries of legal aid moneys in the circumstances described are not separately recorded.
§ Mrs. GoldingTo ask the Attorney-General whether he will introduce new procedures designed to ensure that a declaration of certification is made before a legal aid payment is made to a solicitor and that anyone making a false declaration is prosecuted.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Lord Chancellor has asked the legal aid head office to give further details of its procedures and if necessary to review them. I will write to the hon. Member when that review is complete.
§ Mrs. GoldingTo ask the Attorney-General under which heading in the legal aid accounts for 1985–86 are to be found sums recovered from solicitors who at the relevant time did not hold a current practising certificate.
§ The Attorney-GeneralSums are recovered by deduction from subsequent payments to the solicitors concerned. Recoupments thus lead to the amount recorded in the legal aid accounts as "solicitors" charges and counsel's fees being lower than would otherwise have been the case.