HC Deb 24 June 1996 vol 280 cc1-2W
Ms Walley

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the need to retain magistrates courts in Kidsgrove; what implications there are for north Staffordshire residents

Accident statistics Severity of injury
Year DfEE HO and ES including outstations Minor Major Fatal Total IT related
1991–92 DfEE HO 1126 4 Nil 130 1
1991 ES Not available n/a
1992–93 DfEE HO 1184 1 Nil 185 7
1992 ES 2,102 23 Nil 2,125 n/a
1993–94 DfEE HO 1232 2 Nil 234 8
1993 ES 2,021 13 Nil 2,034 n/a
1994–95 DfEE HO 1223 0 Nil 223 6
1994 ES 1,486 5 Nil 1,491 n/a
1995–96 DfEE HO 1179 0 Nil 179 6
1995 ES 1,624 8 Nil 1,632 n/a
Total 18,177 64 Nil 8,241 28
1Includes IT related accidents.

arising from reorganisation of Kidsgrove and other magistrates courts; what arrangements have been made for consultation; and if he will make a statement. [33251]

Mr. Streeter

Magistrates courts are provided by the local paying authority for the use of the magistrates courts committee. It is for the MCC to determine the need to retain a courthouse. If an MCC to decides to close a courthouse the paying authority may appeal to the Lord Chancellor against the proposed closure. That is the only time my Department is informed of, or involved in, a magistrates courts closure.

No decision has been made by the Staffordshire MCC to close or merge any magistrates courts at this time.