Written question asked by David Laws (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 26 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 December 2003. It was answered by Chris Leslie (Labour) on Thursday, 4 December 2003 on behalf of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Dept for Constitutional Affairs

Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, when he expects to publish his Department's responses to its consultations on (a) the conditional fee agreement regime, (b) proposed changes to publicly-funded immigration and asylum work and (c) delivering value for money in the Criminal Defence Service.

Answer: Mr. Laws: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs when he expects to publish his Department's responses to its consultations on (a) the conditional fee agreement regime, (b) proposed changes to publicly-funded immigration and asylum work and (c) delivering value for money in the Criminal Defence Service. [141206] Mr. Leslie: The information is as follows: (a) The consultation period on the conditional fee agreement regime was extended to end of October and we expect to publish a response by spring next year. (b) The Government made an announcement on 27 November unveiling new measures aimed at cutting out abuses of the public-funded immigration and asylum system. The changes include an accreditation scheme for lawyers, a unique file number for asylum cases and a reduction in the amount of legally-aided advice offered to applicants. (c) The Government will also shortly be publishing its response to the consultation on delivering value for money in the Criminal Defence Service.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 141206; 415 c150-1W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Asylum Legal profession Fees and charges Immigration Conditional fee agreements
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk