§ 34. Mr. Simon ThomasTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will make a statement on the Lord Chancellor's policy towards two-courtroomed courthouses in rural areas. [155204]
§ Jane KennedyThe Government's policy is that magistrates courts are best managed locally by magistrates courts committees, under the provisions of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997. We encourage magistrates courts committees to liaise with the Court Service and other agencies considering sharing arrangements and ensure better utilisation of court buildings.