HL Deb 28 May 2002 vol 635 cc137-8WA
Lord Marlesford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish in the Official Report a table showing the cash paid out for legal aid in each of the last 24 months, indicating for each month how much was paid for legal aid on asylum cases; and whether there is any limit on the cash available for payment of legal aid generally and legal aid for asylum cases in particular. [HL4292]

The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)

The figures requested are shown below. The Legal Services Commission cannot differentiate asylum from wider immigration cases but the vast majority of cases listed are thought to be asylum. All figures for 2001–02 are provisional estimates and may be subject to year-end adjustments.

We believe that good quality publicly funded legal representation is very desirable in asylum cases to ensure that the facts are properly presented and the right decision is made as soon as possible.

The cash available for legal aid is set by the Lord Chancellor's Department according to the Supply Estimates agreed by the Treasury. The budget allocated to the Commission is split between the Community Legal Service (CLS) and the Criminal Defence Service (CDS). While overall spending on the CLS is limited by the Lord Chancellor in directions given to the commission, he has recognised the importance of legal representation in appeal proceedings and made an additional £60 million available last financial year for asylum cases.

Month Immigration and Asylum Legal Aid Expenditure (£m) Total Legal Aid Expenditure (Civil and Criminal) (£m)
April 2000 3.8 125
May 2000 4.3 125
June 2000 4.9 141
July 2000 6.5 145
August 2000 5.7 140
September 2000 4.9 126
October 2000 6.8 139
November 2000 7.0 143
December 2000 9.7 134
January 2001 9.7 134
February 2001 9.1 163
March 2001 8.6 149
April 2001 11.5 186
May 2001 9.5 163
June 2001 10.0 135
July 2001 10.5 151
August 2001 10.3 144
September 2001 9.0 121
October 2001 10.1 141
November 2001 8.8 135
December 2001 10.3 124
January 2002 10.3 131
February 2002 12.6 152
March 2002 16.7 133