97 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice the amount of money paid under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme in the 12 months to 31 August 1992; to whom the money was paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

98 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice the amount of money paid under the scheme of Civil Legal Aid and Advice in the 12 months to 31 August 1992; to whom the money was paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 98 together.

Expenditure under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme for the year ended 31 December, 1991 was £3.152 million. The Grant-in-Aid paid to the Legal Aid Board which administers the Scheme of Civil Legal Aid and Advice for the same period was £2.357 million.

Fees are paid to solicitors and barristers under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme by the Department of Justice and to barristers under the Scheme of Civil Legal Aid and Advice by the Legal Aid Board. Solicitors providing services under the latter scheme are employed directly by the Legal Aid Board and are not paid fees.