§ Mrs. LaingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of people claiming legal aid for each year since 1992. [77830]
§ Mr. McLeishThe total number of people claiming legal aid from the Scottish Legal Aid Board in each year was as follows:
Year Number 1992–93 403,749 1993–94 390,914 1994–95 407,375 1995–96 419,186 1996–97 406,741 1997–98 419,172 Applications for legal aid for children, contempt of court and solemn criminal legal aid are made to the court. The numbers of applications refused by the court are not kept centrally but the following shows the number of grants by the courts:
Year Number 1992–93 15,248 1993–94 15,065 1994–95 14,982 1995–96 14,355 1996–97 14,028 1997–98 14,347 From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.