The dispute over whether 'advice deserts' exist in the provision of publicly funded services looks set to be resolved once and for all through an independent inquiry into the system by the influential constitutional affairs select committee.

The review, to be launched in February 2004, will focus on the extent of current gaps in services and ways of providing incentives for practitioners to continue with legally aided work.

It will also consider alternative ways of delivering services, including salaried services.

Law Society chief executive Janet Paraskeva said the review would examine many of the problems that were causing serious concern, such as advice deserts.

Reform is urgently needed to attract solicitors to the field, she said.

Legal Aid Practitioners Group director Richard Miller also backed the comprehensive study.

'The issue of advice deserts goes to the heart of the question whether the Community Legal Service is failing clients,' he said.