§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of whether the sheriff court house at Haddington satisfies the objectives set out in the justice charter for Scotland in respect of(a) accessibility for disabled people, (b) adequate and comfortable accommodation, (c) refreshment facilities, (d) services for defence witnesses and lawyers and (e) in all other respects; and if he will make a statement on plans to improve Haddington's sheriff court premises.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe accommodation for the sheriff court in County buildings at Haddington has a number of deficiencies, particularly in terms of facilities for court users. County buildings is partly owned by the Secretary of State for Scotland and partly by East Lothian district council. Substantial improvements to the sheriff court facilities within the building would therefore require participation by the council and my noble and learned Friend the Minister of State wrote to the hon. Member on 20 December 1994 indicating his willingness to consider proposals from the council.