§ Mr. Kenneth Clarkeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for the financing of magistrates' courts following the proposed reorganisation of local government in England and Wales; and to which tier of local government he proposes to give powers of control of such financing, both within the proposed metropolitan areas and outside them.
§ Mr. MaudlingI am considering, in consultation with my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor, what changes in the organisation and financing of magistrates' courts in England and Wales are necessary or desirable, and the proposed local government reorganisation will be one of the factors to be taken into account.