Written question asked by Ross Cranston (Labour) on Friday, 10 December 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 December 2004. It was answered by David Lammy (Labour) on Monday, 20 December 2004 on behalf of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Dept for Constitutional Affairs

Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what assessment he has made of the Legal Services Commission evaluation of housing possession court duty schemes; and what plans he has for extending them beyond the existing pilots.

Answer: Ross Cranston: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment he has made of the Legal Services Commission evaluation of housing possession court duty schemes; and what plans he has for extending them beyond the existing pilots. [204941] Mr. Lammy: The Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme has had a positive impact on outcomes for defendants facing housing possession orders, for the court service and for local service provision overall. In eight-nine per cent. of cases, possession orders were suspended, adjourned, dismissed or withdraw. Fifty- seven per cent. of clients using the scheme were found to have other problems, and were referred to other appropriate local services. The scheme has highlighted particular problems facing defendants in possession order cases, such as tendencies among landlords to advise defendants that they do not need to attend court. The service will continue where it is identified as a priority by individual Legal Services Commission regional offences. Provision of the scheme will be one in the range of services which each regional office can contract for from its overall budget for controlled work.

Secondary information