Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to encourage solicitors to practice in the North East of England.
Under the framework established by the Legal Services Act 2007, the legal profession in England and Wales, and the bodies that regulate it, are independent from government. We continue to ensure that legal aid advice remains accessible to those who need it, and the Legal Aid Agency keeps market capacity under continual review to ensure adequate provision across England and Wales.