§ Mr Nealeasked the Attorney-General whether it is the Lord Chancellor's intention to retain fully the status of the Crown court presently held in Bodmin if the court is transferred to Truro.
§ The Attorney-GeneralYes. It is proposed that Truro should be a first tier centre, as is Bodmin at present.
§ Mr. Nealeasked the Attorney-General if he will estimate the costs of refurbishing the existing Crown courts at Bodmin to bring them up to the standard required.
§ Sir George YoungI have been asked to reply.
Studies have shown that it would not be possible to refurnish the existing Crown courts to meet current requirements. The Shire hall is a listed building of granite construction on an island site, containing only two court rooms, and expansion is not practicable. The current requirement is for three court rooms, with adequate accommodation and separate circulation for judges, jurors, defendents and public. In view of the Lord Chancellor's decision to move the Crown courts to Truro, it is unnecessary to update the estimate for refurbishing the Bodmin courts.