Oral Answers to Questions

John Bercow Excerpts

Tuesday 11th November 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Vara]

My hon. Friend raises a good point. I shall certainly pass it on to the board of Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service, and we will consider it.

[Mr Speaker]

Mr Barry Sheerman is not here. I call Mr Nic Dakin.

[Nic Dakin (Scunthorpe) (Lab)]

4. What progress has been made on investigations into the alleged misuse of public money by private providers holding contracts with his Department.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Vara]

I can certainly give my hon. Friend that assurance. Earlier in this Parliament we reformed civil legal aid so that only the most serious compensation cases are in scope—for example, where there has been abuse of a child or a vulnerable adult, a sexual assault or a significant breach of human rights. Civil legal aid applications, including for exceptional funding, are subject to a merits test, as well as a means test. From 2 December last year, treatment matters, including prison conditions, were removed from the scope of criminal legal aid for prison law.

[Mr Speaker]

Unusually, we are ahead of time, but most of the principals are present and therefore we shall proceed.

[Laura Sandys (South Thanet) (Con)]

T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.