HL Deb 25 July 2000 vol 616 c36WA
Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to paragraphs 88 and 89 of the Audit Commission Report Another Country, whether they accept that solicitors competent in immigration law are not necessarily competent in asylum law. [HL3319]

The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)

Solicitors competent in immigration law are not necessarily competent in asylum law. All Legal Services Commission suppliers, however, have to meet strict quality standards in order to undertake publicly funded work in their chosen specialist areas, including immigration and asylum. Contracts, however, require that suppliers take on funded work only in areas where they are qualified.