§ LORD AVEBURYasked Her Majesty's Government what consultations they have held with the local authorities concerned about the provision of alternative judges' lodgings in place of Bilsborrow Hall, for example by retaining the existing judges' lodgings in Lancaster, or by building new lodgings in the area; and what advice 267WA and views they have received from the local authorities.
§ LORD SANDFORDThere have been no formal consultations with the Lancashire County Council or the Preston Corporation about the provision of judges' lodgings to serve the Preston Courts, although both authorities were aware, during the course of discussions about the court accommodation, that lodgings were being sought in the Preston area. The retention of the judges' lodgings in Lancaster as a permanent measure was not under consideration because Lancaster is too far from the Preston courts. Nevertheless, to cover the extreme possibility of unforeseen delay in completing the adaptation work at Bilsborrow Hall in time for the opening of the Preston Courts, the Property Services Agency asked county council officials informally whether it might be possible for judges to remain in the Lancaster lodgings for a short period as a temporary measure. They were told, however, that the present council was unlikely to give any firm268WA undertaking, because this would be a matter for consideration by the new county council.