Ellesmere Port Magistrates Court (Hansard, 6 February 1995)

HC Deb 06 February 1995 vol 254 c8W 8W

§ Mr. Miller
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (1) what plans he has to replace the Ellesmere Port magistrates court;
(2) what representations he has received regarding the suitability of the Ellesmere Port magistrates courts.

Mr. John M. Taylor
The provision of magistrates courthouse accommodation is a matter for the magistrates courts committee concerned in conjunction with the local paying authority; there is no requirement of notification or representation to the Lord Chancellor. A local authority that is aggrieved by a decision of the magistrates courts committee to close a courthouse has the right of appeal to the Lord Chancellor. In the absence of such an appeal the Lord Chancellor has no locus in the matter.