HC Deb 05 March 2001 vol 364 cc82-3W
Ms Kelly

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Bolton, West constituency, the effects on Bolton, West of her Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997. [150610]

Jane Kennedy

The Bolton community legal service partnership (CLSP), which covers Bolton, West, is one of 165 CLSPs throughout England and Wales.

Throughout the Bolton area, 29 agencies have been awarded contracts with the Legal Services Commission (LSC). The suppliers are generally located in the centre of the city, but provide services to residents of all Bolton wards. The suppliers include 28 law firms, and one district citizens advice bureau. The total value of the contracts awarded amounts to over £790,000 in year one of the contracting strategy.

The 29 agencies are all holders of the CLS quality mark. In addition, there are a further 16 organisations in the Bolton area which provide general help or general help with casework and which have committed themselves to applying for the CLS quality mark by October 2001.