§ 41. Mr. Roger EvansTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what criteria are being adopted for the amalgamation of petty sessional divisions; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. John M. TaylorThe optimum size of a division would be one that permitted an average annual attendance for magistrates of between 35 and 40 sittings.
§ Mr. EvansWill my hon. Friend reconsider his reply and emphasise much more significantly the importance of providing local courts for the convenience of local witnesses and local parties? The insistence on a certain number of sittings is a criterion which ignores the factor of convenience to the public.
Mr. TaylorThe proposals that the Lord Chancellor has made are so far indicative only. Consultation will follow if a local view emerges which is held to be an improvement. I share with my hon. Friend, however, the opinion that the criteria for amalgamating petty sessional divisions are different from the criteria for the amalgamation of magistrates courts committee areas. He asked about the former and my earlier reply was about that.