CHECKING OUT POLICY

John Francis discussed some concerns he had with the ethnic monitoring section of the CDS 1 form for criminal practitioners (see [2001] Gazette, 1 November.While I accept Mr Francis' point that the section does not cover all eventualities, the categories included are standard categories as used in the 2001 census.Mr Francis also implied that the collection of such data is a backward step.

I disagree.

It is only by collecting such data that we can effectively monitor access to publicly funded legal services, and ensure that the eligible population is effectively served.

As the Commission for Racial Equality has stated: 'Organisations must have a system for checking whether their policies are being carried out and whether they are working.' Pascoe Pleasence, head of the Legal Services Research Centre, Legal Services Commission