Justice ministry call fuelled by muddle over accountability

There are arguments for a ministry of justice - already backed at the Lib Dem conference - Law Society chief executive Janet Paraskeva told a fringe meeting held at last week's Labour conference in Blackpool.

Ms Paraskeva said accountability of the Lord Chancellor's Department (LCD) 'is not clear as its head sits in the House of Lords and you must raise questions about its transparency.

As a department that spends over 3 billion a year and employs 11,000 staff, the Commons should not be unclear about its accountability'.

She also queried whether the functions of the Attorney-General, Solicitor-General and LCD would not become more efficient by being streamlined into one.

In response, LCD minister Yvette Cooper said: 'It must be remembered the LCD must balance issues of transparency and accountability with public confidence in its impartiality.

On streamlining the department, I agree it is necessary at local level, but not higher up.'

Andrew Towler