§ Mr. Simsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made towards the establishment of a centre of excellence as advocated in the report of the working party on magistrates' courts; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorThe establishment of an independent "centre for magistrates' courts" was one of several options for the dissemination of good practice through the magistrates' courts service which were explored by the working group on magistrates' courts. My right hon. and learned Friend is considering these options in the light of the views which the representative bodies concerned have expressed, and of the resource implications.