§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement about the proposed closure of(a) Monmouth and (b) Chepstow Magistrates courts. [2380]
§ Mr. HoonMagistrates courts are provided by the local paying authority for the use of the magistrates courts committee (MCC). Decisions concerning the future of any magistrates court are for the relevant MCC to determine.
The Lord Chancellor is involved in a dispute over a magistrates court only when there is an appeal by a contributing local authority against a proposed closure. The procedure for such appeals to set out in section 56 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1979. In the absence of an appeal the Lord Chancellor has no locus in the matter.
Decisions relating to (a) Monmouth and (b) Chepstow Magistrates Courts remain an issue for local management.