§ 31. Mr. Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold)What representations he has received regarding an appeal against closure of the magistrates court in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire. [70851]
§ The Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department (Mr. Geoffrey Hoon)I have now received three representations from local interested parties following Gloucestershire magistrates courts committee's decision to close the Stow-on-the-Wold magistrates court with effect from 1 July 1999.
§ Mr. Clifton-BrownThe Minister will be aware that the magistrates courts in Tewkesbury and in Chipping Campden have already been closed. That means that huge swathes of north and east Gloucestershire will be without a magistrates court, which will involve my constituents having to travel distances of well over 20 miles, even though the bus service is virtually non-existent. Is not that the quickest way to alienate constituents in rural areas from the summary justice system?
Will the Minister consider an appeal from Gloucestershire county council against that ludicrous decision by the Gloucestershire magistrates courts committee, which will save only £7,000 a year? The decision is utterly ridiculous—so will he overrule it?
§ Mr. HoonEach of the decisions to which the hon. Gentleman refers was taken locally—they were certainly taken by the local magistrates courts committee—and, I suspect, involved his own constituents. In respect of the particular appeal concerning the Stow-on-the-Wold magistrates court, as he will know, the appeal process has only just begun. Those involved in each part of the appeal will be given an opportunity to present their case and comment on the case made by the other side. A decision will not be made until both parties have confirmed that their cases are complete.