Written question asked by Lord Flight (Conservative) on Tuesday, 9 March 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 March 1999. It was answered by Geoffrey Hoon (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 March 1999 on behalf of the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Lord Chancellors Dept

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department, what assessment he has made of the level of access for rural communities under the proposed new arrangements for the franchising of law firms providing legal aid services.

Answer: Mr. Flight: To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the level of access for rural communities under the proposed new arrangements for the franchising of law firms providing legal aid services. [76287] Mr. Hoon: It is for the Legal Aid Board, through its 13 Regional Legal Services Committees, to establish the legal needs and priorities of any particular community. Contracts will be granted to those quality assured legal service providers who can satisfy, as far as possible within the financial resources available, the communities' needs and priorities. The RLSC's will continue to monitor needs in their regions so that provision can be adjusted as the needs and priorities change.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 76287; 327 c627W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Legal profession Legal aid scheme Legal Aid Board Reform Rural areas