HC Deb 11 December 1997 vol 302 cc666-7W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment he has made of the Information technology needs of the court system required by the introduction of the Woolf reforms; and if he will make a statement on the (a) extent of the changes and (b) timetable. [19327]

Mr. Hoon

The procedures are currently being developed which will achieve the Civil Justice reforms and work is underway to identify the IT support required. The IT solution will be developed by our private sector partner and we plan for them to be in place for 1 April 1999.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assessment has been made of the training needs of judges following the introduction of the Woolf reforms; what is the budget for judicial training; and if he will make a statement. [19332]

Mr. Hoon

Judicial training is the responsibility of the Judicial Studies Board (JSB), which is a non-departmental governmental body. The JSB has assessed the training needs of judges in anticipation of the introduction of the Woolf reforms. During 1997 a series of seminars on the principles of the Woolf reforms were delivered to all full-time judges who hear civil matters. More detailed training will be given to all full-time judges who hear civil matters. More detailed training will be given to all full-time and part-time judges who hear civil matters once the new rules have been finalised. The financial allocations for the JSB for 1998–99 have not yet been finalised.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what estimate he has made of the training costs involved in using the new information technology systems required by the introduction of the Woolf reforms. [19326]

Mr. Hoon

No detailed estimates have yet been made. The scope of training cannot be established until the IT system to support the reforms has been specified and the systems design has commenced. This will not be until 1998, after final rule changes have been agreed. Once the specification has been agreed, the costs associated with the provision of training can be more accurately predicted.