Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether he has made an assessment of the long-term viability of the police station duty solicitor scheme; and if he will make a statement.

The Government is clear that there are sufficient solicitors and barristers to undertake criminal legal aid-funded cases and will make sure this continues to be the case. The Legal Aid Agency monitors capacity across criminal legal aid contracts on a regular basis and takes action to ensure there is ongoing availability of criminal legal advice for the public. Last year £891 million was spent on criminal legal aid so that those who most need legal support are able to get it.