§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary. Lord Chancellor's Department what are his current proposals for the amalgamation of magistrates courts in England and Wales; if he will list the consultation processes on those proposals with starting dates and deadlines for submissions, what representations he has received so far (i) in favour and (ii) against the proposals; if he will list the costs of the proposed amalgamations, what account has been taken of(a) the number of cases to be heard in and (b) the catchment areas of and maximum travel distances to, the newly amalgamated courts; and if he will make a statement. [14108]
§ Mr. StreeterI have no proposals for the amalgamation of magistrates courts in England and Wales. Magistrates courts are provided by the local paying authority for the use of the magistrates courts committee. Closure decisions are for the MCC to determine, after consultation with the paying authority. The paying authority can appeal to the Lord Chancellor against the MCCs decision within one month of its receiving written notice of the determination.
The following magistrates courthouse closures are currently the subject of appeal: Biddulph, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Cheadle, Kidsgrove, Llangollen, Otley and Pontadawe. There have been a number of written and oral 524W representations both in favour and against these appeals. Costs, work load, catchment areas and maximum travel distances are all taken into account in reaching decisions on appeals.