HC Deb 19 March 1980 vol 981 c199W
Mr. Race

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will bring forward legislation to allow magistrates' courts to award costs out of central funds in summary proceedings.

Mr. Brittan

Magistrates' courts already have power to award costs out of central funds when dealing summarily with indictable offences. We do not at present have proposals for legislation to extend this power in respect of summary offences.