§ Mr. SwinneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. [10164]
34W
§ Mr. McLeishMost of the rates for advice and assistance were last set in April 1992. The present hourly rate for a solicitor is £42.20. If this had been increased in line with the gross domestic product deflator to April 1997, the rate would be £48.49. If it had been increased in line with average professional civil service pay rates, the rate would be £48.06.