§ 25. Hugh BayleyTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary of State Department for Constitutional Affairs how much was spent on legal aid for immigration and nationality cases in(a) 1997–98 and (b) 2003–04. [175306]
§ Mr. LammyImmigration and nationality legal help cases cost £35 million in 1997–98 and £203 million in 2003–04. The figure for 2003–04 is still subject to end of year adjustment.
§ 26. Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Department for Constitutional Affairs how many people have received legal aid in Greater London in the last seven years; and what the criteria are for eligibility for legal aid. [175307]
§ Mr. LammyIt is estimated that the number of acts of assistance, in thousands, in the London region, over the last seven years, was as follows:
Number 1997–1998 638 1998–1999 614 1999–2000 622 2000–2001 578 2001–2002 507 2002–2003 486 2002–2004 462 Those figures are for acts of assistance and are indicative though not necessarily the same as the number of people receiving legal aid.
Since April 2000 civil cases receive funding on the basis of meeting the financial means and legal merits criteria contained in the Legal Services Commission's Funding Code.
1482WRepresentation is granted in criminal cases where the court considers it is in the interests of justice. Generally speaking that is where the offence is so serious that the accused could go to prison.
§ 29. Vera BairdTo ask the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will make a statement on the availability of legal aid in domestic violence cases. [175310]
§ Mr. LammyDomestic violence proceedings are a priority area for legal aid funding. The Legal Services Commission's Funding Code criteria for funding domestic violence cases are wider than for most other family and non-family areas. At present those who need financial assistance are able to obtain legal aid to go to court.