§ Mrs. Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much was spent on legal aid in net terms in each year since 1988.
Mr. John M. TaylorNet expenditure on legal aid in each year since 1988 was as follows:
£ million 1988–89 475 1989–90 564 1990–91 682 1991–92 906
§ Mrs. Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much value added tax was collected as a result of charges on the properties of litigants who were legally aided in 1985, 1990, 1991 and 1992.
Mr. John M. TaylorNo additional VAT liability arises from placing a charge on property. The charge will relate to costs incurred which themselves will in the vast majority of cases bear VAT—this will have been reported as part of the total legal aid expenditure.
§ Mrs. Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how much interest was accrued on charges on the property of litigants receiving legal aid in 1985, 1990, 1991 and 1992.
Mr. John M. TaylorThe scheme for accrual of interest was introduced with effect from 1 December 1988, so no interest accrued on charges on property before that date. A small amount of interest accrued on such charges during 1989–90, but no detailed figures are available. At the end of the financial year 1990–91, interest accrued to date on quantified charges was £824,311 less £26,174 received to date, leaving a balance of £798,137 outstanding. At the end of the financial year 1991–92, interest accrued to date on quantified charges was £4,018,132 less £313,900 received to date, leaving a balance of £3,704,232 outstanding.