HC Deb 30 January 2004 vol 417 cc563-4W
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what recent changes have been made to the provision of public funding to suspects before charge. [150792]

Mr. Leslie

The number and proportion of defendants convicted of either burglary or aggravated burglary of a dwelling, and who received a custodial sentence in each of the last six years are provided in the following table.

Mr. Lammy

No changes have been made to the provision of Criminal Defence Service (formerly criminal legal aid) funding to suspects before charge. However the Department for Constitutional Affairs consulted last year on proposals to improve value for money in the CDS and will shortly be announcing the result of the consultation.