Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Dominic Grieve and Jake Berry

Tuesday 11th February 2014 Commons Chamber

[Jake Berry (Rossendale and Darwen) (Con)]

2. What recent discussions he has had with the Treasury Solicitor on the development of a shared legal service. [R]

[The Attorney-General (Mr Dominic Grieve)]

I have regular discussions with the Treasury Solicitor, Sir Paul Jenkins, on matters of mutual interest. Sir Paul is the architect of the shared legal service, which has led to a much improved organisation and streamlining of the Government legal service. I trust that that will continue. Sir Paul has been a Government lawyer for 35 years. He will retire at the end of the month and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his major contribution to this issue, for his years of service to the Government legal service and, indeed, for helping the good governance of our country.

[Jake Berry]

I draw the House’s attention to my declaration in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. Will my right hon. and learned Friend set out what benefits will be gained from sharing legal services across Government Departments?

[The Attorney-General]

Sharing legal services brings considerable benefits in greater flexibility and reliance; more efficient deployment of legal resources, including specialist expertise; and more opportunities for savings and improved knowledge sharing. It also provides a more coherent legal service for Government as a whole and good career development opportunities for lawyers, and it improves the legal support to individual Departments.