Further to the answer to question S1W-15596 by Mr Jim Wallace on 17 May 2001, whether it met the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) to discuss…

Answered Asked by Christine Grahame SNP Lodged 22 May 2001

The question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15596 by Mr Jim Wallace on 17 May 2001, whether it met the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) to discuss the proposed allocations to the Legal Aid Fund for financial years 2002-03 and 2003-04 set out in table 1.0 of The Scottish Budget prior to the publication of these figures; if so, when this meeting took place and what SLAB's position was with regard to the published figures.

The answer

Answered by Jim Wallace on 14 Jun 2001 · 23 days after it was lodged, 9 days after it was due

The Executive is in regular contact with the Scottish Legal Aid Board to discuss expenditure from the Legal Aid Fund. However, decisions on future provision for legal aid within the overall budget of the Scottish Executive lie with Scottish Ministers. As I explained in my answer on 17 May (question S1W-15596) the Legal Aid Fund is not cash limited. Scottish Ministers are legally obliged to provide sufficient funding to allow the Scottish Legal Aid Board to pay the cost of legal aid in every case that qualifies under the terms of the scheme.

In the Official Report

No contribution in the Official Report cites S1W-15932 by reference.