HC Deb 28 July 1997 vol 299 cc9-11W
Mr. Swinney

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when legal aid fees for advice and assistance were last set; what the hourly rate is; and what the hourly rate would currently be if it had been uprated in line with (a) inflation and (b) increases in average professional civil service pay rates. [10165]

Mr. Hoon

The present remuneration rates for legal aid advice and assistance were set in April 1996. It is not possible to provide figures adjusted by the increase in professional civil servant pay rates because pay levels are determined by Departments. Central figures are not kept and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Green form rates £ Uprated by GDP £ Uprated by increase in public administration earnings1£
FIRMS HOLDING A FRANCHISE FROM THE LEGAL AID BOARD
London
Preparation 48.25 49.26 49.07
Travelling and waiting 25.50 26.14 25.93
Letter and telephone calls 3.70 3.79 3.76
National
Preparation 45.50 46.64 46.27
Travelling and waiting 25.50 26.14 25.93
Letter and telephone calls 3.55 3.64 3.61
ALL OTHER FIRMS
London
Preparation 46.50 47.66 47.29
Travelling and waiting 24.50 25.11 24.92
Letter and telephone calls 3.55 3.64 3.61
National
Preparation 44.00 45.10 44.75
Travelling and waiting 24.50 25.11 24.92
Letter and telephone calls 3.40 3.49 3.46
1 Source: Employment Gazette.