HC Deb 10 December 2003 vol 415 cc457-8W
Mr. Dismore

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much was spent on barristers' fees for criminal legal aid in 2002–03; and how much of this was attributable to payments to Qcs. [141418]

Mr. Leslie

Spending on barristers fees in the Crown court and above during 2002–03 was £317.36 million and £1.4 million for assigned counsel in the magistrates court. £0.4 million was also paid to counsel (both assigned and unassigned) for residual work not covered under the General Criminal Contract. It is estimated that of this amount, £76 million was paid to QCs. It is not possible to give a precise figure because the type of barrister is not always recorded.