HC Deb 22 May 1996 vol 278 cc225-6W
Mr. Allason

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many fraudulent claims for legal aid were pursued in 1995–96 and how much was recovered from claimants in the same year. [29927]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

Following investigations carried out by the Benefits Agency into applicants' financial eligibility for civil legal aid, 29 cases were referred to the police in 1995–96. In the same period, the Legal Aid Board assisted police in their investigations into five assisted persons in receipt of criminal legal aid.

Amounts recovered in respect of these cases are not recorded separately from amounts recovered by the board from all assisted persons whose legal aid has been withdrawn for various reasons. The total amount recovered in 1995–96 from all assisted persons was over £1.4 million.

In 1995–96, the board also referred to the police seven cases of suspected fraudulent claims by solicitors. During the same period, £1,174,000 was recovered from solicitors in respect of costs which were either wrongly or fraudulently claimed.