§ Mr. HillTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many county courts have been closed in each of the last five years. [6237]
§ Mr. HoonThe question concerns a matter which has been assigned to the Court Service under the terms of its framework document. I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Michael Huebner to Mr. Keith Hill, dated 7 July 1997:
The Parliamentary Secretary of the Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to your Question about how many county courts have closed in each of the last five years.The figures are as follows:
- 1993: 5 court closures
- 1994: 16 court closures
- 1995: 8 court closures
- 1996: 13 court closures
- 1997: 2 court closures (to date).
Although 44 courts have been closed in total, 15 of those still provide a service for office callers but have no hearing facilities. Additionally, 19 of the courts closed have undertaken to continue local District Judges sittings in suitable accommodation subject to demand.