To ask the Minister of State, Ministry of Justice how many firms of solicitors who previously undertook legal aid work did not sign the new contract for legal aid work. (142714)

The Legal Services Commission’s (LSC) new unified contract applies for civil legal aid providers from 1 April 2007. 2,408 of 2,531 unified contracts were signed and returned to the LSC by solicitors. This represents 95 per cent. of civil legal aid solicitors.