§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the latest expenditure forecast for the legal aid budget in the financial year 1993–94.
Mr. John M. TaylorI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Brent, South (Mr. Boateng) on 20 January at columns719–20. Based on the latest information available it seems likely that total net expenditure on legal aid in the financial year 1993–94 will be £1,225 million compared with a provision of £1,283.2 million. The actual outturn will depend on the bills presented and paid between now and the end of the financial year.