§ John MannTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the current(a) method and (b) level of funding for legal aid; and if he will make a statement. [153353]
§ Mr. LammyMy Department and the Legal Services Commission are continually reviewing the methods and levels of funding for legal aid, to ensure that those who need help the most continue to receive help while providing the best value for money for the taxpayer. In addition, my Department formally announced in June a review of supply, demand and purchasing arrangements within the legal aid system. Due to concern that there could be a shortage of high quality legal aid lawyers, the review will establish the costs, fees and conditions necessary to attract and maintain well-qualified legal aid lawyers. The report by the consultants conducting the review was received in December 2003. It addressed alternative procurement methods for legal services. The final report is about to be published.
§ John MannTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many people used legal aid in the last year for which figures are available. [153355]
§ Mr. LammyThe Legal Services Commission is unable to answer the question in the form requested as its systems record the number of acts of assistance rather than the number of clients assisted, which is not necessarily reflective of the number of individuals involved. The total acts of assistance for 2002–03 was 2,658,000.
§ John MannTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what percentage of the legal aid budget in 2003–04 has been spent on criminal cases. [153356]
§ Mr. LammyIn the present financial year 2003–04, to December 2003, legal aid expenditure on criminal cases amounted to 56 per cent. of total legal aid expenditure.