Gareth ThomasTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps the Legal Services Commission is taking to ensure adequate provision in Wales for legal advice in relation to matrimonial disputes. [142408]
§ Mr. LeslieIn order to ensure adequate provision of legal advice across Wales in all categories of law, including matrimonial disputes, the Legal Services Commission (LSC), the Legal Services Committee for Wales, and the local Community Legal Service Partnership monitor provision on a regular basis. Where gaps in provision are identified, the LSC can re-allocate the number of publicly funded legal matters which suppliers can start in any particular category of law, in order to meet priority needs. In addition, the LSC has just announced that solicitors in England and Wales can start an additional 20,000 legal matters by April 2004.