HC Deb 20 November 2001 vol 375 cc231-2W
Dr. Kumar

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to develop the concept of public defenders throughout the UK. [16444]

Mr. Wills

Public defender offices are being piloted by the Legal Services Commission in the first phase of a four-year pilot which began in May 2001. Offices have already opened in Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Swansea and Birmingham. The 5th and 6th offices will be opened before April 2002. During and at the end of the four-year start-up period the Government will review the service and make decisions on its future development. The Scottish Executive and the Northern Ireland Office are responsible for the administration of justice in Scotland and Northern Ireland.