Legal Aid (Hansard, 15 May 1995)

§ 48. Mr. Steen
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement as to the operation of the legal aid system in civil cases. [22516]

Mr. John M. Taylor
The civil legal aid scheme is administered by the Legal Aid Board. The Lord Chancellor will shortly issue a Green Paper making proposals for reforms to the legal aid scheme.

§ 49. Mr. Mike O'Brien
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many people would have been likely to qualify for legal aid if they had a case in the courts in(a) 1979, (b) 1985, (c) 1993 and (d) 1995. [22517]

Mr. John M. Taylor
It is not possible to say. Legal aid is available subject to the applicant's financial circumstances and the merits of the case. There is no upper limit for financial eligibility for criminal legal aid.

§ Mr. Gapes
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the workings of the legal aid system. [22510]
Mr. John M. Taylor: The Lord Chancellor will shortly issue a Green Paper making proposals for reforms to the legal aid scheme.