HC Deb 08 December 1998 vol 322 cc154-5W
35. Mr. Bob Russell

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department how many courts have closed since May 1997; and how many new ones have opened. [61258]

Mr. Hoon

I am aware of 29 magistrates courthouses closures since May 1997. It is possible that other closures have occurred following a decision by a local magistrates courts committee against which no appeal has been lodged. The Lord Chancellor has a role in magistrates courthouse closures only where an appeal has been made. Three new magistrates courthouses have opened at South Shields, Chippenham and Tameside.

Since May 1997, eight county courts have closed. There have been four court buildings opened since May 1997: Swansea County Court (June 1997), Oldham County Court (November 1997), the Immigration Appellate Authority (March 1998) and Principal Registry of the Family Division (June 1998).

38. Mr. McWalter

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to provide additional resources to boroughs which no longer have court services; and if he will make a statement. [61262]

Mr. Hoon

The Lord Chancellor's Department makes grants to local authorities towards current and capital expenditure incurred by them on behalf of the magistrates courts committee for their area. The overall level of expenditure allowed to be incurred, and thereby the amount of grant due to be paid, is determined by this Department.

The formula used to calculate the amount of current grant to be paid to each local authority is under review. It has been agreed, pending the completion of this review, that each local authority will receive, in cash terms, a 1.5 per cent. increase in their grant allocation for 1999–2000 over 1998–99.

The Department has made no specific plans to provide additional resources to local authorities during 1998–99, with the exception of those areas where there are amalgamations of magistrates courts committees which may bid for additional resources towards any transitional additional costs resulting from that amalgamation. It is always open to a magistrates courts committee, in conjunction with its local authority, to bid for additional resources from this Department.