§ Mr. SwinneyTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when legal aid fees for advice and assistance were last set; what the hourly rate10W 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. HoonThe 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 11W 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.