HC Deb 07 December 1998 vol 322 cc32-3W
Ms Roseanna Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements have been made to ensure that the Public Defence Solicitors' Office and the Scottish Legal Aid Board remain separate organisations. [62406]

Mr. McLeish

The Director of the Public Defence Solicitors' Office (PDSO) reports directly to the Chief Executive, Scottish Legal Aid Board, on administrative matters only. In all other matters, including the handling of cases, the PDSO operates independently of the Board.

Ms Roseanna Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the estimated cost is for establishing the Public Defence Solicitors' Office; and what was the estimate given in the context of the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Bill. [62405]

Mr. McLeish

The estimated cost in 1998–99 of the PDSO is £450,000, including set up and running costs. The previous Government gave no estimate of the comparable costs of this project in the context of the Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Bill.

Ms Roseanna Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions representatives of the Public Defence Solicitors' Office have attended meetings of the Scottish Legal Aid Board in each of the last five years. [62407]

Mr. McLeish

Since his appointment on 1 April 1998, Mr. Alistair Watson, Director of the Public Defence Solicitors' Office (PDSO), which opened on 1 October 1998, has attended Board meetings on 6 April and 5 October.

Ms Roseanna Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the membership of the Public Defence Solicitors' Office Research Evaluation Project. [62408]

Mr. McLeish

The contract for the research has not yet been awarded. However, when the research team has been appointed, it will report regularly to an advisory group including representatives of the following organisations:

  • Law Society of Scotland
  • Scottish Law Agents' Society
  • Glasgow Bar Association
  • Edinburgh Bar Association
  • Faculty of Advocates
  • Sheriffs' Association
  • Scottish Legal Aid Board
  • Public Defence Solicitors' Office
  • Scottish Office Home Department