To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the (a) cost and (b) purpose was of legal (i) representation and (ii) advice sought by his Department and its agencies in each year since May 1997. (300371)

The purpose of legal representation is to ensure that the Secretary of State is represented before a court or tribunal where a decision is under challenge. The purpose of legal advice is to enable the Department to operate effectively within the law and develop legislation to deliver its policies, minimising legal risk and achieving best legal outcomes.

There are no centrally held figures for the costs of legal representation in the Department for Children, Schools and Families, and its predecessors, the Department for Education and Employment, and the Department for Education and Skills.