§ Earl Russellasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the number of magistrates' courts in the County of Dorset; what was the equivalent figure in 1992; what is the projected figure for 2012; and whether they will express these figures as a ratio of courts to square miles. [HL2972]
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)There are nine courthouses comprising 23 courtrooms in Dorset. representing one courthouse per 113.78 square miles or one courtroom per 44.52 square miles; in 1992 there were 12 courthouses comprising 29 courtrooms, representing one courthouse per 85.33 square miles or one courtroom per 35.31 square miles.
The provision of courthouses and courtrooms is the responsibility of the local Magistrates' Courts Committee, which has informed me that it is not currently in the process of consultation over the closure of any courthouses, although an operational decision may be taken in 2002–03 to reduce the number of hired rooms at County Hall in Dorchester or to suspend the hiring of those rooms pending a consultation exercise.