Magistrates Courts (Hansard, 9 February 1994)

§ Mr. Boateng
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has in respect of the appointment of chief justices' clerks to magistrates courts committees.

Mr. John M. Taylor
The Government's intention is that every magistrates courts committee should appoint a legally qualified head of service and that the Lord Chancellor's approval should be required for each such appointment.
Such an appointment will provide clearer lines of accountability within the service, and also yield improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of the service's management.

§ Mr. Boateng
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to empower the Lord Chancellor to enforce the amalgamation of magistrates courts committee areas.

Mr. John M. Taylor
The Police and Magistrates' Courts Bill currently before Parliament proposes that the Lord Chancellor should have the power to initiate amalgamations between magistrates courts committee areas. An amalgamation order may only be made after consultation with the local magistrates, the magistrates courts committees concerned and all local authorities in the affected area.
249W

§ Mr. Boateng
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to change the proposed requirement that the Lord Chancellor should approve the appointment of chairmen of magistrates courts committees.

Mr. John M. Taylor
As announced in this House on 2 February, the Lord Chancellor has listened to the criticism of the Police and Magistrates' Courts Bill voiced in the House of Lords on 18 January. He proposes to move an amendment when the Bill next comes before Parliament, the effect of which will be to remove the proposed requirement that the Lord Chancellor approve the appointment of magistrates courts committee chairmen.