§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Attorney-General what is the establishment, by grade, of the legal aid area office, Birmingham; and how many people are presently in place.
§ The Attorney-GeneralStaffing levels in the individual area offices are the responsibility of the legal aid administration of the Law Society. There is no formal establishment figure, but I understand that there are 79.5 members of staff in post with one unfilled vacancy at administrative officer level.
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§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Attorney-General what is the average time taken by the legal aid area office, Birmingham, to deal with applications for legal aid; and what were the equivalent figures one and two years ago.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe latest figures available are published in appendix 2G of the 37th legal aid annual reports. These show that, for legal aid area No. 6, it took an average 78.13 days (actual, not working) from receipt of a legal aid application to the issue of a certificate during the financial year 1986–87. The equivalent figure for 1985–86 was 50.89 days. Prior to 1985–86, figures for individual area offices are not available.
§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Attorney-General when he expects the legal aid area office, Birmingham, to make a decision upon an application on behalf of Mr. John Walker, reference No. 06018805154 QB3 which was submitted in February and acknowledged on 15 March; and what are the reasons for the time taken to deal with this application.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI understand from the legal aid administration of the Law Society that Mr. Walker's application is being processed in the normal way, and that a decision will be made on the application imminently.