§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the extent to which the proposed changes in the legal aid system will affect disabled people on low income.
Mr. John M. TaylorNo separate assessment has been made of the effect of the changes on disabled people. The financial eligibility of any applicant for legal aid depends on his or her income and the expenses which may be allowed against it. Following the changes, disability living allowance, attendance allowance and constant attendance
Table 1: Crown court: Defendants dealt with by trial during 1976 by circuit Plea of Not Guilty to all counts Plea of Not Guilty to some counts Circuit Total Acquitted Convicted Total Acquitted Convicted Acquittal directed by judge Midland and Oxford 3,257 1,481 1,776 543 210 333 428 North Eastern 3,029 1,495 1,534 236 83 153 336 Northern 3,319 1,825 1,494 248 100 148 401 South Eastern: London 7,065 3,341 3,724 1,014 374 640 881 Provinces 4,401 1,988 2,413 604 155 449 519 Wales and Chester 1,755 931 824 222 119 103 210 Western 2,224 1,084 1,140 655 204 451 298 England and Wales 25,050 12,145 12,905 3,522 1,245 2,227 3,073
Table 2: Crown court: Defendants dealt with by trial during 1981 by circuit Plea of Not Guilty to all counts Plea of Not Guilty to some counts Circuit Total Acquitted Convicted Total Acquitted Convicted Acquittal directed by judge Midland and Oxford 3,750 1,607 2,143 448 170 278 413 North Eastern 2,742 1,376 1,366 193 89 104 297 Northern 3,183 1,865 1,318 283 208 75 518 South Eastern London 10,439 5,477 4,962 1,352 293 1,059 1,137 Provinces 5,940 2,890 3,050 716 174 542 606 Wales and Chester 1,399 724 675 50 13 37 153 Western 2,132 866 1,266 334 68 266 208 England and Wales 29,585 14,805 14,780 3,376 1,015 2,361 3,332 542W
Table 3: Crown court: Defendants dealt with by trial during 1991 by circuit Plea of Not Guilty to all counts Plea of Not Guilty to some counts Circuit Total Acquitted Convicted Total Acquitted Convicted Acquittal directed by judge Midland and Oxford 4,054 2,449 1,605 607 354 253 583 North Eastern 2,743 1,480 1,263 357 183 174 397 Northern 3,134 1,841 1,293 417 58 359 419 South Eastern: London 8,748 5,353 3,395 641 310 331 904 Provinces 7,106 4,047 3,059 1,366 257 1,109 821 Wales and Chester 2,032 952 1,080 173 42 131 141 Western 2,716 1,638 1,078 524 75 249 444 allowance paid as an increase to a disablement pension are disregarded when calculating disposable income for legal advice and assistance, as they are for legal aid. Applicants who are in receipt of disability working allowance qualify automatically for free advice and assistance and criminal legal aid.