§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the cost to the Legal Services Commission of employing its own lawyers through the Public Defenders Pilot Scheme was in the latest period for which figures are available. [176557]
§ Mr. LammyThe cost to the Legal Services Commission (including national insurance contributions and overtime payments) for all legal staff employed in the Public Defender Service for the financial year 2003–04 was £1,727,928.00. The staff costs for fully qualified lawyers were £1,271,531.64.