Written question asked by Nick Harvey (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 5 February 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 23 February 2004. It was answered by David Lammy (Labour) on Monday, 23 February 2004 on behalf of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Dept for Constitutional Affairs

Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what the average annual percentage salary rise awarded to those employed in dealing with or administering criminal legal aid was between 1st January 1996 and 31st November 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Nick Harvey: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the average annual percentage salary rise awarded to those employed in dealing with or administering criminal legal aid was between 1 January 1996 and 30 November 2003; and if he will make a statement. [154289] Mr. Lammy: The Commission is unable to answer the question in the format requested as neither the Legal Services Commission nor the former Legal Aid Board make a distinction between staff administering civil and criminal work. The Commission is able to provide figures on the average annual percentage salary rise--awarded with effect from 1 April--for each year since 1997, but cannot provide a figure for 1996. The figures are as follows: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Percentage 1997 4 1998 3.5 1999 4 2000 14 20.5 2001 14.3 20.9 2002 14.3 21.1 2003 13.6 21.1 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. 1 Consolidated 2 Non-consolidated All annual salary increases are subject to a pay remit, which must be approved by the Department for Constitutional Affairs. Prior to 2003 remits also required approval of HM Treasury.

Secondary information