§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what change there has been in the cost of civil legal aid between 1991–92 and 1992–93; and if he will publish the figures on that matter supplied to him by the Scottish Legal Aid Board and its commentary on those figures.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 2 March 1993]: Gross expenditure on civil legal aid in 1991–92 was £16.58 million. Figures provided by the Scottish Legal Aid Board show that actual expenditure to the end of January 1993 was £20.54 million. The board estimates that expenditure for the full financial year 1992–93 will be £23.45 million—a projected increase of 41.4 per cent. over the 1991–92 outturn. In the view of the Scottish Legal Aid Board, the rise is caused by an increasing number of grants and by grants being claimed and paid more quickly.