23 July 2007
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the expected completion dates are of the public defence pilots in Swansea, Middlesbrough, Birmingham, Cheltenham and other locations.
Mr. Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the expected completion dates are of the public defence pilots in (a) Swansea, (b) Middlesbrough, (c) Birmingham, (d) Cheltenham and (e) other locations. [151778]
Maria Eagle: The Public Defender Service pilot, running in Birmingham, Cheltenham, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Pontypridd, Swansea, Chester and Darlington, concluded on 31 March 2005. The Middlesbrough office closed during 2006, and in February 2007 the Legal Services Commission proposed to close the Birmingham, Chester and Liverpool offices. All operated in areas with ample alternative Criminal Defence Service supply. The Cheltenham, Darlington, Pontypridd and Swansea offices continue to operate.