§ Mr. James Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what his proposals are for dealing with the inadequacies of Glasgow Sheriff Court.
§ Mr. MillanI have approved plans for the building of a new sheriff court house. This project has been under examination for many years and in deciding now that it should go ahead I have agreed to a programme beginning with work on site preparation by the end of this year with construction thereafter extending to early 1985 at an estimated cost of £16.6 million. The building will meet the needs of the business of the court and its users. I fully recognise the shortcomings of the present accommodation and have in hand a number of measures which should afford substantial574W relief in the interval before the new building is available.
First, two criminal jury courts will be brought into operation in the nearby Lanarkshire House in March. These will expedite the hearing of jury trials and will relieve the pressure on detention, jury, witness and other accommodation in the main court house building. Secondly, I have commissioned the adaptation of premises in George Street with a view to providing three summary criminal courts there in about 12 months' time. Thirdly, work is proceeding at the old Custom House to provide offices for many of the staff of the procurator fiscal who are at present accommodated in the main court house.
These developments will provide much-needed relief in the central building and, I am sure, will enable the court to deal expeditiously with the business coming before it until such time as the projected new building becomes available.