HC Deb 18 November 2003 vol 413 c792W
Andy King

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many qualified legal advisers have a Community Legal Service franchise to represent asylum seekers in England. [138692]

Mr. Lammy

As at 1 November 2003, there were 504 solicitors' offices in England and Wales1 with contracts to undertake publicly-funded immigration and asylum work. At the same date, there were 90 Not for Profit organisations in England and Wales with contracts to undertake publicly funded immigration and asylum work. It is not possible to provide figures for the number of advisers employed under these contracts.

1The LSC provides publicly-funded legal services in England and Wales through contracts with solicitors' offices and Not for Profit organisations. It is possible for solicitors based in Wales to represent clients in England and visa versa.