Birmingham, Coventry and Solihull Magistrates' Courts Committees (Hansard, 12 March 1997)

§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Mackay of Clashfern)

While I continue to support the policy of amalgamating magistrates' courts committees where to do so would be likely to contribute to an overall increase in administrative efficiency for the committees concerned, a number of points have been raised in the recent consultation exercise which require further consideration. In order for full consideration to be given to these matters, I have decided that it would be appropriate to direct the Chief Inspector of Her Majesty's Magistrates' Court Service Inspectorate to report, by the end of July 1997, on whether the proposed amalgamation of Birmingham, Coventry and Solihull magistrates' courts committees, in accordance with the proposals set out in the consultation document, and in the light of the comments made in consultation, would be likely to contribute to an overall increase in the efficiency of the administration of the magistrates' courts for the area. In the circumstances, it is not appropriate that an immediate decision is reached at this time and the timetable proposed in the draft amalgamation order is therefore no longer appropriate.