§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what financial saving he expects to achieve from the closure of the legal aid assessment office of his Department at Cardiff and the transfer of this work to Bristol; how many jobs will be lost in Wales as a result of this move; and how he proposes to maintain the effectiveness of the services provided in Wales following the change.
§ Mr. NewtonThe proposed closure of the legal aid assessment office in Cardiff is still under consideration. The transer of work to Bristol would produce an accommodation saving of £23,500 per annum. The jobs lost would be 20, but, to compensate, there are already extra posts in Cardiff as a result of the siting there of the new regional office for Wales and the South West. Only assessment work would be moved to Bristol. Local offices in Wales would continue to conduct interviews, so that our service to the public would be undisturbed.