§ Lord Jonesasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many magistrates' courts have been closed since 1990 in (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland. [H L4491]
§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)Magistrates' courts committees are not required by statute to inform the Government of court closures. The data held centrally are, therefore, of variable quality, and particularly so before 1995. Since 1990 the best information indicates that in England and Wales 112 and 27 courthouses were closed respectively.
In Northern Ireland one magistrates' court venue has been closed since 1990. The court, at 25WA Newtownabbey, County Antrim, was closed on 17 February 2002 and the business was absorbed in Belfast Magistrates' Court.