§ Mr. Cordleasked the Attorney-General how many new court buildings have been completed since June 1970; how many such buildings are in the course of completion; how many are planned to be built; and what is the total cost to public funds of this building programme.
§ The Attorney-GeneralMy noble Friend the Lord Chancellor is responsible for the building programme in respect of the Supreme Court and the county courts. It includes not only the construction of new court buildings but also the adaptation of existing buildings to provide additional courtrooms and the provision of temporary courtroom accommodation to meet current workloads while new buildings are being planned and built.
Since June 1970, 50 additional courtrooms have been provided for the High Court and Crown Court. Buildings currently under construction will provide a further 30 courtrooms.
The future programme reflects present estimates of requirements over the next 20 years, and contains some 68 building projects—providing some 450 courtrooms—of which over two-thirds are expected to start within the next 10 years. The estimated total cost is of the order of £160 million.
The responsibility for magistrates' courts rests with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, who informs me that 15 court buildings have been completed since June 1970, 33 are under construction, and the forward five years' programme submitted by local authorities provides for a further 120. The total cost to public funds is of the order of £90 million.