§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the suitability of the present accommodation at Haddington sheriff court; and if he will consider acquiring Tenterfield house from Lothian regional council to provide a new location for the court.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonConsiderable efforts have been made in recent years to improve facilities at Haddington sheriff court. Courtroom accommodation is now fully adequate to meet the current workload of the court. However, there are still some shortcomings in the provision for witness and other ancillary accommodation, and further improvements at the courthouse are in hand.
The Government do not propose to acquire Tenterfield house or any other alternative location for the courthouse at this stage. The position at Haddington as at all other courthouses will, however, be kept under review.