§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the total amount of charges on matrimonial properties held by the Legal Aid Board. [78519]
§ Mr. HoonThe precise impact of the statutory charge can be identified only when all moneys due by way of costs and contributions have been collected into the Fund. The total principal quantified as subject to the statutory charge on property was £196.2 million at the end of March 1998. This amount relates mainly, but not exclusively, to properties which are subject to the charge as a result of matrimonial proceedings. The amount therefore does include statutory charges on property arising out of non-matrimonial proceedings. It is not possible to provide a breakdown between outstanding matrimonial and non-matrimonial charges.
There was £32.8 million accrued interest for outstanding statutory charges on property as at 31 March 1998.
§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the net cost of matrimonial legal aid for each of the past five years. [78518]
§ Mr. HoonThe net cost of matrimonial legal aid, for each of the past five years was as follows:
Year £ 1993–94 266,725,000 1994–95 296,624,000 1995–96 324,862,000 1996–97 345,668,000 1997–98 343,287,000