§ Mr Ian LucasTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what steps she is taking to increase the number of advocates carrying out criminal and legal aid work. [73613]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonNone. The Government are not aware of any shortages or of any solicitors or defendants having difficulty in obtaining the services of an advocate. My Department and the Legal Services Commission continue to monitor the situation.
§ Andy BurnhamTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, if she will make a statement on measures his Department is taking to improve the provision of legal aid advice services. [73617]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe Lord Chancellor's Department has worked with the Legal Services Commission to establish the Community Legal Service, to improve access for all to good quality civil legal and advice services. Community Legal Service Partnerships, now covering nearly all areas of England and Wales, are central to this policy and are responsible for coordinating service delivery based on local priority needs. The Community Legal Service Fund, which replaced Legal Aid, provides funding for those services now being delivered under these new arrangements.