Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Evans Excerpts

Tuesday 17th May 2011 Commons Chamber

[Jessica Morden (Newport East) (Lab)]

6. When he expects to bring forward legislative proposals for the reform of legal aid.

[Chris Evans (Islwyn) (Lab/Co-op)]

7. When he expects to bring forward legislative proposals for the reform of legal aid.

[Rosie Cooper (West Lancashire) (Lab)]

9. When he expects to bring forward legislative proposals for the reform of legal aid.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Djanogly]

The hon. Lady’s question implies that the Government have not been listening. I would say that that is not the case. The consultation elicited some 5,000 responses, we have now had three Adjournment debates on legal aid reform, hundreds of questions have been tabled and I have been engaging in debates, sometimes with shadow Ministers, outside this place. I would say that the Government have been doing a lot of listening on the issue and we will be ready for legislation shortly.

[Chris Evans]

Solicitors have complained to me that the proposals could turn Islwyn into a legal aid desert. What estimate has been made of the number of practitioners who would stop legal aid work if the reforms were made?

[Mr Djanogly]

The Government’s position is not to start off with the number of legal aid practitioners. Our starting point is the sort of legal aid system that we should have in this country, which will support vulnerable people. The number of practitioners to service that will follow.