Committee
Justice Committee 15 March 2011
15 Mar 2011 · S3 · Justice Committee
Item of business
Subordinate Legislation
Criminal Legal Assistance (Duty Solicitors) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/163)
I want to allow the cabinet secretary to get his responses on the record. The regulations appear to move us away from appointed solicitors and towards appointed firms. The Glasgow Bar Association’s contention is that that would limit choice. I do not necessarily endorse that, although I am interested in the cabinet secretary’s response. The association also has concerns about the potential extension of the role of the Public Defence Solicitors Office. What are your comments on that?
In the same item of business
The Convener
Con
We have a bit of time left with the cabinet secretary so, if he does not mind, we will move on to the Criminal Legal Assistance (Duty Solicitors) (Scotland) ...
James Kelly
Lab
I want to allow the cabinet secretary to get his responses on the record. The regulations appear to move us away from appointed solicitors and towards appoin...
Kenny MacAskill
SNP
I appreciate that the matter is on the agenda. The regulations put the duty to make solicitors available in Cadder cases on to the Scottish Legal Aid board. ...
Robert Brown
LD
My question is not so much on the regulations per se as on the operation of the system. Cabinet secretary, you are probably aware that one of the Glasgow Bar...
Kenny MacAskill
SNP
The PDSO was established prior to the current Administration coming into office. Since then, I have said that I will expand the PDSO only where there are cle...
Robert Brown
LD
I am grateful, cabinet secretary, for your emphasis on flexibility, which is important, but I am trying to get to the principle that underlies the changes. C...
Kenny MacAskill
SNP
That is fundamentally a matter for the Scottish Legal Aid Board. There may be consequent increases in costs, but, if you are asking whether there is a grand ...
The Convener
Con
As there are no other questions for the cabinet secretary, I thank him and his colleagues for their time this morning. It has been very helpful.I suspend the...