§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many cases of misuse of the legal aid scheme by solicitors have been reported to his Department since 1992; and how many cases resulted in prosecutions in each of the legal aid committee areas. [5273]
§ Mr. StreeterThe Legal Aid Board investigates all cases of suspected misuse of the legal aid scheme. Between April 1992 and March 1996, 458 investigations were carried out into suspected misuse by firms of solicitors. There was a total of nine prosecutions during the same period in the following legal aid areas:
- Birmingham: 1
- Bristol: 1
- Cardiff: 1
- Liverpool: 1
- London: 1
- Manchester: 2
- Newcastle: 1
- Reading: 1.
§ Mr. JonesTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he is taking to ensure that there is no manipulation of the funds available to the legal aid scheme by solicitors operating within the scheme. [5272]
§ Mr. StreeterUnder the Legal Aid Act 1988, the Legal Aid Board is responsible for the administration of the legal aid scheme in England and Wales. All cases of suspected abuse of the scheme are investigated by the Legal Aid Board. Where appropriate, cases are subject to detailed examination by the board's investigation unit. To help in the early detection of irregularities, the Legal Aid Board has introduced a new green form and a new computer system. Consideration is being given to tightening up the green form scheme further by restricting the location where advice can be given to the solicitor's office.