HC Deb 17 March 1997 vol 292 cc367-8W
Mr. Heppell

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many people have received legal aid in each of the last 10 years to take action against(a) the Labour party, (b) the Conservative party, (c) the Liberal Democrat party and (d) any other political party. [20286]

Mr. Streeter

The information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list by nationality the number of applications for legal aid made by non-British citizens, showing those which have been successful, in each of the last three years. [20624]

Mr. Streeter

Information as to an applicant's nationality is not collected and is therefore not available.

Mr. Griffiths

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what criteria apply to overseas applicants for legal aid; and what are the procedures by which the Legal Aid Board checks the accuracy of applications. [20626]

Mr. Streeter

All applications for legal aid, from whatever source, must undergo statutory means and merits tests. A special financial application form must be used by applicants not resident in the UK. The Legal Aid Board makes its decisions based on information supplied by the applicant through their solicitor, and where this is insufficient or inconsistent further investigations will be made. The special investigations unit, set up in 1996, investigates the means of applicants with complex financial affairs, which may include foreign nationals.