Criminal practitioners are particularly incensed at the incompetence of the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) in relation to the closure of cell wickets (see [2004] Gazette, 18 March, 4), because unnecessary costs of about 1 million per year are being added to the legal aid budget at precisely the same time as the Legal Services Commission is being forced to implement savings of 19 million per year to the same budget by restricting legal advice and assistance at courts and police stations.

The current governmental ethos is that if criminal practitioners make mistakes causing delays in the disposal of cases at court they should be financially penalised.

Should the same approach not apply to the DCA?

On 11 March, I wrote to Lord Falconer both requesting the authorisation of immediate funding for the rapid construction of additional interview rooms in court custody areas, and suggesting that the legal aid budget be compensated appropriately.

I await a reply.

Michael Burdett, Hanne & Co, London