Rural Magistrates Courts (Hansard, 15 January 2002)

HC Deb 15 January 2002 vol 378 c169W 169W

§ 34. Mr. Grogan
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will review policy on the closure of rural magistrates courts; and what assessment he has made of the findings of the Auld report on this subject. [25048]

§ Mr. Wills
No. The Government's policy is that decisions concerning the number, location and future of magistrates courts are for magistrates courts committees to determine, in consultation with its local paying authority.
In answer to the second part of my hon. Friend's question, we will consider this carefully, taking account of responses to Sir Robin Auld's Review Report. The assessment will be made after the period for public comment closes on 31 January.