§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will set out, including statistical information relating as directly as possible to the constituency, the effect on the Blackpool South constituency of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [142224]
§ Jane KennedyThe policies developed by this Department generally relate to England and Wales as a whole and it is therefore not possible to say what the specific impact is on the Blackpool, South constituency. 241W However, the Blackpool Community Legal Service Partnership (CLSP), which covers Blackpool, South constituency, is one of 145 CLSPs throughout England and Wales. The Commission's total expenditure in the Blackpool Community Legal Service Partnership area, including both new legal help matters and contingent liability, is £935,933.79. The Community Legal Service Partnership covers the whole borough of Blackpool. It does not include any of the surrounding areas, which are part of the North West Lancashire Community Legal Service Partnership.
In the Blackpool, South constituency, 18 agencies have been awarded contracts with the LSC. This includes 17 law firms and one CAB. The total value of the contracts awarded amounts to £626,920. The 18 agencies are all holders of the CLS Quality Mark. In addition there are a further 12 organisations in the constituency who provide General Help or General Help with Casework who have committed themselves to applying for the CLS Quality Mark by October 2001.
Additionally a contract has been let with Wyre CAB at Cleveleys to give Debt advice and some of this work is carried out in Blackpool. A contract with Preston and Western Lancashire Race Equality Council in Preston includes delivery of part of their service in Blackpool.
In addition I have set out details of claims issued at Blackpool county court in the 12 months period either side of the Civil Justice Reforms in April 1999. This allows for a comparison to be made of any changes in the levels of claims made as a result of the Civil Justice Reforms, and is a more useful indicator than just providing all the claims issued since May 1997.
Month claims issued Number 1998 May 438 June 534 July 560 August 526 September 603 October 380 November 594 December 550 1999 January 427 February 510 March 663 April 657 Introduction of Civil Justice Reforms May 176 June 454 July 401 August 465 September 410 October 395 November 358 December 407 2000 January 181 February 342 March 544 April 501