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Written question asked by Lord Wedderburn of Charlton (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Ashton of Upholland (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 June 2005.


Criminal Legal Aid

Question
Whether their policies on criminal legal aid take account of the financial situation of many small solicitors' firms, especially those which continue to act as duty solicitors for persons arrested by the police.
Answer

The Government are committed to maintaining the national provision of publicly funded criminal defence services. In some parts of the country, where volumes of criminal defence work are not high, the provision of these services currently relies on small solicitors' firms. The Government will continue to take account of these firms in developing their policies on criminal legal aid.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
252; 672 c82WA
Session
2005-06
Subjects
Criminal proceedings Finance Legal aid scheme Small businesses Reform Solicitors Duty solicitors