§ Lord Windleshamasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the relative annual expenditure on (a) the prosecution of offenders; (b) criminal legal aid; and (c) advice and assistance for defendants and suspects, for each of the last five years for which figures are available. [HL4219]
§ The Lord ChancellorAnnual expenditure for the prosecution of defendants, criminal legal aid and advice and assistance for each of the last five years was as follows:
Year £m Prosecution of defendants by the Crown Prosecution Service and Serious Fraud Office (gross expenditure)* 1998–99: 344.332 1997–98: 336.756 1996–97: 336.403 1995–96: 332.409 1994–95: 328.821 Criminal legal aid (net expenditure) in the Magistrates' and Crown Courts** 1998–99: 624.70 1997–98: 590.76 1996–97: 538.69 1995–96: 498.03 1994–95: 464.38 Advice and assistance (net expenditure) in criminal matters 1998–99: 151.72 1997–98: 143.57 1996–97: 129.49 1995–96: 118.20 1994–95: 104.16 *A wide number of agencies undertake prosecutions as well as private prosecutions. It is not practicable to obtain the cost in respect of all these prosecutions. The CPS and SFO are two principal prosecution agencies. **Legal Aid expenditure includes the cost of defending actions brought by all prosecuting agencies and by private individuals.