Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Attorney-General what is the present waiting period for appeals against refusals of applications for legal aid in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the operations of the legal aid service in Northern Ireland.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe present average waiting period for appeals against refusals for civil legal aid in Northern Ireland is four months.
The Law Society of Northern Ireland produces an annual report on the operation of both civil and criminal legal aid which incorporates a report by the Lord Chancellor's advisory committee on legal aid in Northern Ireland. The report for 1987–88 was laid before Parliament on 20 October 1989.