Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robert Buckland and James Davies

Thursday 26th May 2016 Commons Chamber

[Dr James Davies (Vale of Clwyd) (Con)]

11. What recent steps he has taken to promote (a) public legal education and (b) the provision of pro bono legal services.

[The Solicitor General (Robert Buckland)]

As Government pro bono champions, the Attorney General and I continue to support, through our co-ordinating committees, a number of projects that reinforce how important pro bono work and public legal information are, not just domestically but internationally.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Speaker]

I am sure that the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole (Michael Tomlinson) will put that tribute on his website in a matter of minutes.

[Dr James Davies]

I thank the Solicitor General for his replies on this topic. How can the Government further help the efforts of charities such as LawWorks, a pro bono legal advice service supported by the Law Society that targets the most needy and has offices across the UK?

[The Solicitor General]

My hon. Friend is right to mention LawWorks, which has been an active member of the pro bono co-ordinating committee for several years. Since October 2014, the Ministry of Justice has provided funding for the litigant in person support strategy, which is designed to help third sector organisations deliver increased support to litigants in person. I am sure that he will put that on his website.