§ 34. Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what are(a) the budgets and (b) the priorities for criminal legal aid in (i) 1997–98, (ii) 1998–99 and (iii) 1999–2000. [61257]
§ Mr. HoonThere is no separate budget for criminal legal aid. However, in 1997–98, the cost of criminal legal aid, including advice and assistance, was £733 million. This year expenditure is expected to be around £800 million while next year it is expected to rise to £840 million.
Our priority continues to be that criminal legal aid should enable criminal justice to be dispensed fairly, effectively and without undue delay. Our proposals for contracts at fixed prices would reward efficient lawyers and provide better control over expenditure and quality.