§ Lord Rentonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they consider that there is an urgent need to provide further secure accommodation for prisoners on trial at Huntingdon Magistrates' Court which is accommodated in Huntingdon Town Hall, a listed building, and whether steps will be taken to expedite consultation with English Heritage so that the work may proceed without further delay.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Glenarthur)Under Section 55 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1979 responsibility for the provision of magistrates' courthouse accommodation rests with the Cambridgeshire County Council. It would not be appropriate for Her Majesty's Government to interfere with the functions of the council—which has made no approach to the Home Office—or with the work of English Heritage, an independent body set up by the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England. However, it is understood that progress is being made in respect of the scheme, which involves only relatively minor works.