Written question asked by Peter Bone (Conservative) on Thursday, 23 June 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 28 June 2011. It was answered by Lord Clarke of Nottingham (Conservative) on Tuesday, 28 June 2011 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Sentencing: Legal Aid

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the statement of 21 June 2011, Official Report, columns 465-67 and the written ministerial statement of 21 June 2011, Official Report, columns 9-12WS, on sentencing reform: legal aid, what information on the policy proposals contained in the Statement was given to media representatives in advance of (a) the oral statement and (b) the delivery to the House of the text of the written ministerial statement; how many (i) media outlets and (ii) journalists were contacted by his Department for the purposes of providing information on such proposals; and on what days such contacts were made.

Answer: I have been assured and I am satisfied that no information was given by my Department which was not already in the public domain with the exception of the Government's proposals on legal aid for squatters resisting eviction. This was discussed with a journalist from The Daily Telegraph as part of a wider conversation about issues which were already outlined in the Green Papers.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 62701; 530 c715W
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Sentencing Reform/Legal Aid
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Written statements
House of Commons
Subjects: Legal aid scheme Sentencing
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk