To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many firms of solicitors held community legal services contracts for the supply of criminal law advice and representation in the most recent financial year for which figures are available. (191337)

Contracts for the supply of criminal law advice and representation are held with the Criminal Defence Service (CDS). The CDS contracts with solicitors’ offices rather than firms, and a firm may have more than one office. 2,223 took up new contracts to supply such services with effect from 14 January 2008, after the latest round of tendering.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many firms of solicitors held community legal services contracts to supply criminal law advice and representation in 2005. (191338)

Contracts for the supply of criminal law advice and representation are held with the Criminal Defence Service (CDS). The CDS contracts with solicitors’ offices rather than firms, and a firm may have more than one office. 2,643 held such contracts to supply criminal law advice and representation as at 31 March 2005.