HC Deb 18 December 1969 vol 793 cc1522-3
2. Mr. Edward Lyons

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the time available before legislation is introduced to implement the Report of the Royal Commission on Assizes and Quarter Sessions, he will urgently consider the question of the integration of the magistrates' courts into the new courts system.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Merlyn Rees)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer which my hon. Friend gave to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry, South (Mr. William Wilson) on 18th November—[Vol. 791 c. 284.]

Mr. Lyons

Is there not an overwhelming case for a unified court service? In view of the grave shortage of courts, will not the efficiency of the circuit administrator proposed by the Beeching Commission be seriously impaired if courts in every town are not under his aegis but under that of some other person?

Mr. Rees

There is little doubt that some of the arguments of the Royal Commission on Assizes and Quarter Sessions in favour of a directly controlled court system apply to the magistrates' courts, but the basis on which the magistrates' courts are organised is different from that of the superior courts.

Mr. Waddington

Will the hon. Gentleman do his best to ensure that, before these proposals are implemented by legislation, there is a full debate on the proposals in the House? Is he aware that many hon. Members on this side of the House are very disturbed that attempts are being made to implement part of the Beeching Report by administrative actions and through other Bills without anyone knowing what is going on?

Mr. Rees

The question of a debate in the House is not for me, but I am sure that the hon. Gentleman's views will be taken into account.