asked the Minister for Justice if he is satisfied with the present means test provision applicable to the civil legal aid scheme; whether such provision reflects the position regarding eligibility for services under the scheme of that which was intended when the scheme was introduced in 1980; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Civil Legal Aid.
117.
I am satisfied that the current means test provisions in the scheme are pitched at an appropriate level which reflects in today's circumstances the criteria for eligibility contained in the scheme when it was originally introduced. The special means test provisions in the scheme are modelled on the framework recommended in the Report of the Pringle Committee on Civil Legal Aid and Advice (Prl. 6862).
The effect of the third revision of the means test (carried out in 1986) means that a married person with a spouse and three children and normal financial commitments would qualify with a gross income of as much as £13,000 per annum approximately, and a higher income in some cases, depending on the circumstances. Furthermore, the improvements made at that time mean that applicants who are social welfare recipients quality for legal services for a nominal contribution of £15.