Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Oral Answers to Questions

Lucy Frazer Excerpts
Tuesday 8th March 2016

(8 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Shailesh Vara Portrait Mr Vara
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The hon. Lady raises some important points. On the employment tribunal, she should consider the alternative facilities that are available. For example, the early conciliation service has reported that, in the first 12 months, 83,000 people used its services, and that the vast majority were happy with the services that they received.

Lucy Frazer Portrait Lucy Frazer (South East Cambridgeshire) (Con)
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A total of 3,600 barristers, including a third of all Queen’s counsel, contribute voluntarily to the Bar Pro Bono Unit. I am honoured that, as a barrister, I was one of those statistics. Does the Minister welcome the significant contribution that the Bar Pro Bono Unit is providing to free access to justice?

Shailesh Vara Portrait Mr Vara
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I certainly commend not only my hon. and learned Friend’s contributions, but the contribution of the Bar and the legal profession generally. Pro bono work benefits many people, and I am pleased to see that our engagement with the legal sector is fruitful, and that it is considering other ways of helping the community.