HC Deb 19 April 2004 vol 420 cc273-4W
Geraldine Smith

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans he has to review the financial eligibility limits for publicly funded legal help. [165408]

Mr. Lammy

No decision has yet been taken on the eligibility uprating. We will inform the House as soon as a decision has been taken.

Geraldine Smith

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps he is taking to improve access to community legal services. [165409]

Mr. Lammy

The Community Legal Service (CLS) aims to improve access to quality legal and advice services for all. Regional Legal Service Committees and CLS Partnerships are responsible for co-ordinating the delivery of legal and advice services in their area and through an analysis of local legal needs. can ensure that resources are more effectively targeted to those most in need. A number of initiatives have been put in place to improve access to advice, including the Just Ask! website. A national telephone advice service will be available nationally from summer 2004 following a successful pilot. CLS leaflets provide information on legal rights and details of local service providers can be found in the CLS Directory. available at a number of public locations and online. The Constitutional Affairs Select Committee's current inquiry into the adequacy of civil legal aid provision is considering access to civil legal and advice services. An independent review is also evaluating the effectiveness of the CLS and is due to report in late April 2004.