Oral Answers to Questions

Teresa Pearce Excerpts

Tuesday 23rd April 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Southall) (Lab)]

3. What steps he is taking to increase access to the criminal justice system.

[Teresa Pearce (Erith and Thamesmead) (Lab)]

7. What steps he is taking to increase access to the criminal justice system.

[Janet Daby (Lewisham East) (Lab)]

20. What steps he is taking to increase access to the criminal justice system.

--- Later in debate ---

[Lucy Frazer]

The hon. Gentleman makes a very important point, because those who work within the criminal justice system play a vital part in upholding justice. That is why, over the course of last year, we have consulted the professions and put a further £23 million into the advocates’ graduated fee scheme. It is also why we have recently announced that we will be doing a holistic review of criminal legal aid with regard to the professions, looking overall at a whole range of issues across the Bar and across the duty solicitor schemes. That review has already started.

[Teresa Pearce]

I thank the Minister for that reply, but there is a crisis in legal aid and in legal representation. The Law Society data says that within five to 10 years there will be insufficient criminal duty solicitors in many regions. She has mentioned the review and mentioned more money, but what specific steps will she take to make sure that people have their right to be represented while being interviewed by the police?

[Lucy Frazer]

Doing a review and putting in £23 million are specific steps to ensure that we get better justice. I am very grateful to the Law Society, which the hon. Lady and the hon. Member for Ealing, Southall (Mr Sharma) mentioned, because it is actively engaged in our review, as are the Bar Council and the Criminal Bar Association.