§ Sir Roger MoateTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement about the consequences of local government reorganisation, with particular reference to the creation of unitary authorities, for the statutory rights of objection to the proposed closure of magistrates courts where such rights are currently held by county councils; and what assessment he has made of transferring this right in all cases to district and borough councils. [24995]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansAfter local government reorganisation in a magistrates courts committee's area, the statutory rights of appeal in relation to the proposed closure of a magistrates court will be held by any unitary authority in the area or by the county council insofar as it is not a unitary authority. The same bodies will be responsible for the funding of the magistrates courts service in their area. No assessment has been made of transferring the right of appeal to local authorities which do not contribute to the funding of the magistrates courts service, as would happen if the right were transferred in all cases to district and borough councils.