To ask the Secretary of State for Justice for what reasons a full tendering process is undertaken for the setting up of community legal advice networks. (226218)

As public bodies the Legal Services Commission (LSC) and any local authority partners are required to act in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2006 when awarding relevant contracts for public services such as a Community Legal Advice Network. These regulations incorporate European Union (EU) procurement law into UK practice, to ensure a consistent regime for the award of public contracts throughout the EU.

Moreover, the tendering process allows the LSC to secure excellent access, high quality and the best possible value for money.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what discussions he has had with representatives of Citizens Advice Bureaux on the proposed changes to the community legal systems. (226219)

My Noble friend, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, the former Legal Aid Minister, met representatives of Citizens Advice on a number of occasions to discuss a range of issues relating to the Legal Aid Reform programme. The most recent meeting took place in June 2008.

The Legal Services Commission also engage with Citizens Advice on a regular basis to discuss the reform programme. For example, there are regular meetings’ between the chief executives of the LSC and Citizens Advice, and a bi-monthly meeting is held between the LSC and Not-for-Profit agencies (including Citizens Advice) on contracting issues.