§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment is made of the impact on legal aid expenditure of proposals to close magistrates courts.
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§ Mr. John PattenMagistrates courts committees should take into account all relevant factors when deciding whether or not to close a courthouse including the possible impact upon legal aid expenditure. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave on 10 February, columns344–45, to the hon. Member for Faversham (Mr. Moate).