HC Deb 20 November 1995 vol 267 cc21-2W
34 Mr. John Marshall

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received about the grant of legal aid to the seemingly wealthy. [520]

Mr. John M. Taylor

There were 50 responses to the consultation exercise held earlier this year on the grants of legal aid to the apparently wealthy. Since that time there have been 14 inquiries on this issue from Members of Parliament or the public.

35 Mr. Flynn

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what new proposals he has to improve the legal aid system. [521]

Mr. Taylor

The Lord Chancellor published a Green Paper on the future of legal aid in May. Over 180 responses have been received. These are being analysed. A series of meetings are being arranged with some of the major respondents to allow them to expand on their views. The Lord Chancellor intends to make an announcement on the outcome of the consultation process in the new year.

36 Mr. Steen

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement as to the level of the legal aid budget in each of the last three years. [522]

Mr. Taylor

Net expenditure on legal aid in each of the last three years was as follows, £1.1 billion, £1.2 billion and £1.3 billion. This represents an increase in expenditure of 19 per cent. over the three-year period.

During the same period the number of people helped rose from 3.3 million to 3.5 million, an increase of 6 per cent.