asked the Attorney-General if he has any plans to review the use made of the legal aid system in Northern Ireland; and what is his assessment of the current level of abuse to the system.

The legal aid system and the criteria determining the availability of legal aid in Northern Ireland are broadly similar to those pertaining in England and Wales. The relevance to Northern Ireland of the proposals contained in the White Paper "Legal Aid in England and Wales: A New Framework" (Cm. 118 published on 26 March 1987) is currently being assessed.Legal aid legislation in Northern Ireland incorporates certain safeguards against abuses. There is no evidence of major abuse of the system.