I see that a pilot is being introduced to enable Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) lawyers to provide advice to the police around the clock (see [2003] Gazette, 14 August, 5).

While a laudable aim, if I understand your article correctly, CPS lawyers will be paid a bonus of between 25% and 33% of their salary for waiting at the end of the telephone on the off-chance that in the early hours of the morning a custody sergeant cannot decide whether or not there is sufficient evidence to charge a detainee with a criminal offence.

What's wrong with part IV bail? The comments from the Law Society spokeswoman seem to imply that if working the night shift, the lawyers will not have to attend court the following day.

This proposal would appear to be on slightly more favourable terms than those of the defence duty solicitor scheme - for being on standby we receive the princely sum of 4.20 per hour, but have office overheads to pay out before we get to see any of that.

The prospect of a morning off after being on 24-hour duty is also rather appealing.

No wonder talented criminal defence solicitors are deserting private practice in droves.

Robert Kellock, Sutcliffe Reed, Preston