HC Deb 29 March 1993 vol 222 cc5-6W
Mr. David Porter

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what recent representations he has received about eligibility for legal aid under his proposed changes to those just above income support level; and if he will make a statement.

Defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for all offences by commission of the peace area and type of offence 1989 (quarter 4)
Commission of the peace area Indictable Summary non-motoring Summary motoring All offences
Avon 2,152 2,574 4,044 8,770
Bedfordshire 1,073 1,758 2,058 4,889
Berkshire 900 1,523 2,298 4,621
Buckinghamshire 931 1,205 2,549 4,685
Cambridgeshire 1,311 1,367 2,390 5,068
Cheshire 2,004 1,946 4,241 8,191
Cleveland 1,464 2,093 1,783 5,340
Cornwall 568 362 1,121 2,051
Cumbria 1,126 1,791 2,497 5,414
Derbyshire 1,909 2,085 3,814 7,808
Devon 1,700 1,670 3,550 6,920
Dorset 1,198 967 2,493 4,658
Durham 1,389 1,765 2,369 5,523
Essex 2,700 3,801 6,313 12,814
Gloucestershire 1,093 1,247 2,376 4,716
Greater Manchester 7,053 7,945 11,914 26,912
Hampshire 3,148 3,104 5,981 12,233
Hereford and Worcester 1,220 945 3,589 5,754
Hertfordshire 1,657 1,882 3,586 7,125
Humberside 1,872 2,809 2,793 7,474

Mr. John M. Taylor

I have received a number of representations about various aspects of the changes to legal aid eligibility, including the position of those whose incomes are just above income support level. Assessments are based on disposable income and a generous range of allowances are offset against gross earnings.

Mr. David Porter

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the latest timetable for introduction of his proposed changes in eligibility for legal aid; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John M. Taylor

The regulations to introduce the changes have been laid before Parliament, and are due to come into effect on 12 April.

Mr. Byers

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what has been the cost to the legal aid fund of providing assistance and representation in the four trials relating to alleged criminal activities concerning Guinness plc.

Mr. John M. Taylor

The legal aid cost to date of the Guinness trials is £.1.7 million. The majority of this relates to the first trial, the costs of which are currently the subject of an appeal. The remainder consists of costs paid in respect of part of the second trial. The full costs of the second trial and the costs of the third and fourth trials have yet to be determined.