§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the cost of the legal aid given to Mr. Reda Hanna; what was his contribution; and what account was taken of his parents' wealth as a means of assessing his contribution. [28364]
Mr. John M. TaylorThe trial of Mr. Hanna has only just ended and the costs have not yet been determined. Mr. Hanna was not required to contribute towards the costs of his legal aid, but was ordered to pay £200 towards the costs of the prosecution. Current legal aid regulations do 11W not provide for a parent's resources to be included in the means assessment of applicants for legal aid. However, the Lord Chancellor has indicated that he intends to amend the legal aid regulations to provide those conducting means assessments with a discretionary power to include in the means assessment the assets of friends, relatives and children where these appear to be providing a significant material advantage to the applicant.