HC Deb 15 March 1993 vol 221 cc68-9W
Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list(a) the total sum of moneys paid out by the Legal Aid Board in connection with the pursuit of compensation cases for addiction to benzodiazepines and (b) the way in which the money has been spent.

Mr. John M. Taylor

The final cost to the Legal Aid Fund in respect of litigation relating to benzodiazepine drugs cannot be quantified until work done under the legal aid certificates has been concluded and all solicitors' bills have been paid. The generic expenditure on all the benzodiazepine drugs cases in litigation is estimated so far to amount to approximately £3 million, though further, as yet unquantified, costs have also been incurred. The money has been spent to enable the individual claims to be progressed in accord with directions laid down by the court.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many applications for legal aid are outstanding in cases involving the pursuit of compensation against Roche Products; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John M. Taylor

No applications for legal aid are outstanding in cases involving the pursuit of compensation for addiction to benzodiazepine drugs manufactured by Roche. A total of 6,270 legal aid certificates have been issued in recent years relating to benzodiazepine drugs manufactured by Roche. In the light of the statutory criteria under the Legal Aid Act 1988, legally aided Roche claimants have been sent letters informing them that their legal aid certificates may be discharged and inviting them to show cause why they should not be. There is a right of appeal against discharge.

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