Community Legal Services Partnerships (Hansard, 19 May 2004)

§ Mr. Kidney
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what representation community legal services partnerships have on local strategic partnerships; and if he will liaise with appropriate ministerial colleagues to promote such representation. [173953]

§ Mr. Lammy
Working relationships between Community Legal Service Partnerships (CLSPs) and Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) are active in all areas. CLSPs are represented in a number of LSPs throughout England (there are no LSPs in Wales). There are variations to the extent to which CLSPs are joining up with LSPs, and to the form of representation, due to the varying nature and structure of each LSP. Ongoing work to develop relationships between CLSPs and LSPs is being actively pursued throughout the English regions.
1090W

§ Mr. Kidney
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the workings of community legal services partnerships, with particular reference to(a) research into patterns of need, supply and capacity, (b) priorities for service development and the deployment of resources, (c) disseminating good and best practice and (d) publicising services which are available. [173954]

§ Mr. Lammy
The Independent Review of the Community Legal Service (CLS), which was published on 28 April 2004, provides a detailed assessment of the workings of CLS Partnerships. The Review recommends that CLS Partnerships have their activities re-focused in the short-term, and are placed on a statutory footing in the longer term. My Department is currently seeking views on the Review's recommendations, as part of a process of consultation. We will be considering the best way in which to build on the success of the CLS in the light of the Review's recommendations and the comments we receive. In addition, we have announced a fundamental legal aid review, which will look at the long-term future of the legal aid system, focusing on how best to provide publicly funded legal services to those who need them.