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Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Baroness Sherlock (Labour). It was answered on Wednesday, 13 July 2011.


Immigration: Advisory Service

Question
I declare an interest as former chief executive of the Refugee Council. Can the Minister assure the House that the quality of specialist immigration law that will be available in the future will as good as in the past? Is she aware of the differential success rates of people getting very good legal advice? Does she accept that removing immigration law from the scope and cutting the budget of legal aid for asylum may make it harder? I am sure that most noble Lords would not dream of buying a house without decent legal advice, and certainly no one should be forced to defend their life without it.
Answer

The Legal Services Commission has a certain threshold for demanding the kind of quality that the noble Baroness is talking about. That continues to be the case, and we are encouraged that a large number of providers are willing to take on this work, which helps drive up the quality.


Secondary information

Type
Oral question
Reference
729 c721 
Session
2010-12
Oral question type
Supplementary
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Asylum Legal aid scheme Immigration Insolvency Immigration Advisory Service
Link
View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk