§ Mr. Mike O'BrienTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of the increase in the legal aid budget is due to increased payments on account to solicitors holding legal aid certificates in each of the last three years.
Mr. John M. TaylorInformation is available only in respect of payments on account made to both barristers and solicitors in respect of civil legal aid. The percentage of the increase in legal aid fund expenditure clue to increased payments on account to both barristers and solicitors in those circumstances in each of the last three years was as follows:
1989–90 £ million 1990–91 £ million 1991–92 £ million Gross fund expenditure 580 690 910 payments on account 3.0 per cent. 4.4 per cent. 5.8 per cent.