§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what steps he intends to take to reassure lay magistrates of their continued ability to effectively manage the magistrates courts system; and if he will make a statement;
500W(2) if he has any plans to introduce central Government funding for the magistrates courts service following the LeVay scrutiny; what steps he intends to take to ensure the independence of the magistrates courts system; and if he will make a statement;
(3) when he will be in a position to inform all lay magistrates in addition to established channels of communication, which of the four proposals under consideration as models for the future magistrates courts system he will recommend; what steps he is taking to ensure that the Magistrates Association and the Central Council of Magistrates Courts Committee adequately reflect the views of the lay magistrates; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenWe have not yet reached a decision on the scrutiny proposals for reorganising the magistrates courts service. As soon as we have done so we shall make an announcement which will be made available to the service and its representative organisations. I have no reason to doubt that these organisations adequately represent the views of their members.