§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations he has received from(a) Gloucestershire County Council and (b) other parties opposing the proposed closure of Stow-on-the-Wold Magistrates Court; when he expects to make a final decision on the future of that court; and if he will make a statement.[81259]
§ Mr. HoonGloucestershire Magistrates Courts Committee has determined to close the Stow-on-the-Wold Magistrates Court with effect from 1 July 1999. Gloucestershire County Council has appealed against this determination. A total of 21 other representation, opposed to the proposed closure, have been received.
The appeal process is proceeding. The two parties are being given the opportunity to put their case forward and make comments. This will continue until both parties are satisfied that they have nothing further to add. A final decision will not be made until that time. Magistrates courts are locally managed by magistrates' courts committee under the provisions of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997. Decisions concerning the future of magistrates courts in their area are for the relevant magistrates courts committee to determine. A local authority that contributes financially may appeal to the Lord Chancellor against a proposed closure. The procedure for such appeals is set out in section 56 of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997.