§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applications have been considered by the Scottish Legal Aid Board since its foundation to the latest convenient date; how many of these have been dealt with by the board; what percentage has been granted; and, of those refused, what have been the reasons for refusal, broken down into percentages in each category.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonProvisional figures for applications to the board in its first year of operation are given in the table. Some of the applications determined were submitted under the arrangements obtaining prior to the assumption of its responsibilities by the board on 1 April 1987. Figures for applications for an increase in authorised expenditure for advice and assistance are not yet available.
Civil Legal Aid Number Applications received 31,390 Applications determined 31,589
Percentage Percentage Granted 68.9 Refused 31.1 Reasons for refusal: Means 2.3 Merits 12.1 Abandoned by applicant 16.7 100
Criminal Legal Aid (Summary causes) Number Applications received 52,450 Applications determined 50,972
Percentage Percentage Granted 89.3 Refused 10.7 Reasons for refusal: Not in the interests of justice 7.6 Means 1.4 Not timeous 1.7 100
656W
Criminal Appeal Applications Number Applications received 1,414 Applications determined 1,303
Percentage Refused 55
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complaints he has received from(a) the general public, (b) solicitors and (c) right hon. and hon. Members regarding delays or difficulties in the consideration of applications for legal aid by the Scottish Legal Aid Board.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonSince 1 April 1987 when the Scottish Legal Aid Board assumed responsibility for the administration of legal aid my right hon. and learned Friend has received(a) 13 complaints from the general public and various bodies, (b) 24 from solicitors, including representative bodies of the profession and (c) 22 from right hon. and hon. Members.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current number of staff working in the Scottish Legal Aid Board; what is the approved establishment figure; whether he has received representations from the board for additional staffing; what his response has been; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonOn 31 May 1988 the Scottish Legal Aid Board employed 345 persons, including temporary staff. Control over staffing costs is achieved by determination of the grant in aid for the board's administration rather than by setting a limit to the numbers employed. No representations have been received from the board for additional staff, but the numbers and grading of staff are the subject of a normal efficiency scrutiny which has just begun.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total sum approved for legal aid by the Scottish Legal Aid Board since is establishment; what were the comparable figures for equivalent periods in previous years.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonDuring its first year (1987–88) the Scottish Legal Aid Board sought and received £44.577 million from the Vote for the Scottish Legal Aid Fund. In 1984–85 comparable expenditure was £31.75 million; in 1985–86, £38.525 million; and in 1986–87, £44.025 million.