HC Deb 05 March 1992 vol 205 cc250-1W
Mr. Sheerman

To 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.

Mr. John Patten

Magistrates 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).