HC Deb 11 December 1997 vol 302 cc667-8W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is his Department's estimate of the savings the Government will make from the introduction of fixed costs on conditional fees; what research his Department has commissioned on the impact of such costs; and what other recent research his Department has evaluated into legal costs. [19320]

Mr. Hoon

It is not clear why it is thought that "fixed costs on conditional fees" should result in savings to the Government. Nor is it clear on what the hon. Member thinks such cost would impact. As to research into legal costs, my Department is currently funding the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies research into the amount of work needed to take a case through the Fast Track.