§ Mr. PendryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has of the cost of opening one magistrates' court, staffed by a probation officer in the London area for two hours on a Saturday afternoon.
§ Mr. John Patten[holding answer 6 March 1989]: This information is not readily available. But it is estimated that the average cost on a Saturday afternoon of a London magistrates court is £2,500.