Written question asked by Lord Maclennan of Rogart (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 2 March 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 5 March 1999. It was answered by Henry McLeish (Labour) on Friday, 5 March 1999 on behalf of the Scottish Office.

Scottish Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what representations he has received from Sheriff Principal Risk about the exclusion of the Wick Sheriff Court from the list of outlying sheriff courts at which an enhanced fixed payment for summary criminal legal aid cases will be paid; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Maclennan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from Sheriff Principal Risk about the exclusion of the Wick Sheriff Court from the list of outlying sheriff courts at which an enhanced fixed payment for summary criminal legal aid cases will be paid; and if he will make a statement. [75065] Mr. McLeish: Sheriff Principal Risk wrote to The Scottish Office suggesting that Wick and Fort William should be included in the list of courts which attract an additional distant courts payment. A letter was sent to the Sheriff Principal explaining the basis on which the list of distant courts was drawn up. The operation of the fixed payments regime will be closely monitored by the Tripartite Group, comprising The Scottish Office, the Law Society of Scotland and the Scottish Legal Aid Board. Monitoring will include the effect on rural courts. From 1 July 1999, legal aid in Scotland will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

Secondary information