Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Valerie Vaz and Shailesh Vara

Tuesday 26th April 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Vara]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right that the Citizens Advice service provides invaluable advice to the population. I wholeheartedly congratulate citizens advice bureaux, and I suspect I speak for the whole House in commending them for all the wonderful work they do.

[Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)]

15. The Supreme Court has found that the Justice Secretary acted without moral authority and in a legal vacuum. Will he now ensure that there will be access to justice for those who do not meet the residence test?

[Mr Vara]

The Government are disappointed with the findings of the Supreme Court on the residence test, particularly when the last Government listened to Parliament and the public, and we made exceptions to that test. I am minded to say that there are millions of people across the country who take the view that it is right that there should be some sort of connection with Britain for people who seek to have their legal aid funds paid for by the British public.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Valerie Vaz and Shailesh Vara

Tuesday 8th December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Vara]

It is important for the hon. Gentleman to recognise that the court system needs to be properly funded. However, we have a very effective remission system, and those who cannot afford the fees do not have to pay them. He should also bear in mind that court fees amount to a tiny fraction of the total amount of legal fees that are incurred.

[Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)]

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

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Valerie Vaz and Shailesh Vara

Tuesday 17th March 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Vara]

Having successfully defended a challenge in the High Court, we robustly defended our position in the Court of Appeal and are awaiting judgment. If the appeal is dismissed, it is our intention to continue the tender that is currently subject to an injunction as soon as possible.

[Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)]

Access to justice is one of the cornerstones of our democracy. Given the reductions in legal aid, can the Minister say whether there has been a rise or a fall in the number of litigants in person?

[Mr Vara]

I believe there has been a rise in litigants in person, but the Government have also made a huge amount of provision to cater for that. I also say to the hon. Lady and Opposition Front Benchers, who have never said that they are going to reverse the cuts that we have made, that we need a legal aid system that is sustainable, for the people who need it, for the legal providers and for the taxpayers who pay for it.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Valerie Vaz and Shailesh Vara

Tuesday 1st July 2014 Commons Chamber

[Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)]

14. What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of provision of interpreters and translation services in court.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mr Shailesh Vara)]

There have been dramatic improvements in performance in the last two years and we continue to manage contracts to ensure that the improvements continue. We appointed independent assessors to carry out a review of interpreter quality standards earlier this year and look forward to receiving their recommendations shortly.

[Valerie Vaz]

The reality is that a constituent of mine who was sitting on a jury had to have the court adjourned for four days while it looked for a translator. Why have the payments to Capita Translation and Interpreting increased from £7 million to £15 million over the past two years?

[Mr Vara]

It is always regrettable when there are such individual circumstances, but the hon. Lady will appreciate that I cannot comment on specific cases. However, dramatic improvements in performance have occurred in the last two years and Capita routinely fills 95% of requests. On funding, I hope that she appreciates that in the first year of the contract, £15 million of British taxpayers’ money was saved.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Valerie Vaz and Shailesh Vara

Tuesday 17th December 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Vara]

The reforms did not come into effect until earlier this year, and we need to give them a bit more time. As I have said, we will be reviewing the position, but it is currently too early to form a proper assessment.

[Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab)]

4. What recent assessment he has made of family mediation services.