Written question asked by Ross Cranston (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 March 2005. It was answered by David Lammy (Labour) on Monday, 21 March 2005 on behalf of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Dept for Constitutional Affairs

Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what percentage of the population was eligible for non-family civil legal aid in each of the last 20 years; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Ross Cranston: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what percentage of the population was eligible for non-family civil legal aid in each of the last 20 years; and if he will make a statement. [222729] Mr. Lammy: We do not have precise figures for the last 20 years. Estimates of the proportion of individuals eligible for civil legal aid generally from 1986 to 2000 are set out on the following table. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Percentage individuals eligible 1986 63 1987 60 1988 58 1989 59 1990 56 1991 55 1992 56 1993 52 1994 54 1995 54 1996 52 1997 52 1998 52 1999 51 2000 50 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. More recent surveys estimate that the proportion of the population eligible for civil legal aid generally has remained at approximately 50 per cent. since 2000.

Secondary information