§ Mr. GarnierTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the adequacy of insurance available(a) between 1995 and 1997 inclusive and (b) from 1 April 1998 to cover plaintiffs' liabilities for (i) their own costs and disbursements and (ii) defendants' costs and disbursements. [18736]
§ Mr. HoonThere are a considerable number of legal expenses insurance products available to protect against one's own costs of going to law. Many people have them added to their household or motor car insurance policies at very modest cost. I have no reason to believe these are likely to reduce from 1 April 1998. There clearly has been sufficient availability of insurance to allow over 28,000 claims to be brought in a little over two years. New products are still being launched. I see no reason why other insurance products should not become available on or after 1 April 1998.