§ Mrs. Ann TaylorTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations his Department has received expressing concern over the proposed transfer of responsibility from the police to magistrates courts committees of the execution of warrants and the service of process; and how many of these have been received from members of police forces. [10985]
§ Mr. Jonathan EvansMy Department has been in consultation with representative bodies within the magistrates courts community and other interested parties, including the Association of Chief Police Officers, over the proposed transfer of responsibilities, which has now been postponed with a view to its taking effect on 1 April 1997. In addition to these consultations, my Department has received correspondence on the subject of the transfer from individual justices chief executives and clerks to magistrates courts committees, justices clerks, local authorities, the chairman of an area criminal justice liaison committee and interested private firms. I have also received representations from Members of Parliament for the Kirklees area, including the hon. Lady. My Department has received one letter from the Metropolitan police expressing concern over the progress of the transfer of responsibility.