Magistrates Courts (Hansard, 3 February 1999)

§ Mr. Marshall-Andrews
To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what action has been taken by(a) his Department and (b) HM Magistrates Courts Service Inspectorate from January 1996 to date in respect of reported incidents of fraud or gross mismanagement in relation to payments by or funding of magistrates' courts committees. [68720]

§ Mr. Hoon
Two incidents have arisen since 1 January 1996. The first was investigated by the Department's Internal Audit Division but was resolved without the Department having to take action. The second has not yet been resolved. There have been exchanges between the Department, the Inspectorate, the Magistrates Courts Committee and the paying authority and advice has been given and recommendations made. What further action is needed will depend on decisions by the Magistrates Courts Committee and the paying authority in the light of legal advice they have taken.

§ Mr. Marshall-Andrews
To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will list the incidents of fraud or gross mismanagement that have been brought to the attention of the Lord Chancellor's Department or Her Majesty's Magistrates Courts Service Inspectorate relating to payments by and funding of magistrates courts committees from 1 January 1996 to date. [68719]

§ Mr. Hoon
Since 1 January 1996, there have been two incidents relating to payments by and funding of Magistrates Courts Committees which have been brought to the attention of the Lord Chancellor's Department or Her Majesty's Magistrates Courts Service Inspectorate. In the first case there was no loss to public funds and there were no proceedings for fraud. In the second case, both the Magistrates Courts Committee and the paying authority have taken legal advice and the matter has yet to be resolved.
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§ Mr. Marshall-Andrews
To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what steps he proposes to take to reform the system of financial and administrative accountability of magistrates courts committees; and what steps he plans to take to implement the recommendations of the Magistrates Courts Service Inspectorate Thematic Review of May 1998. [68752]

§ Mr. Hoon
We have issued guidance on the content of Magistrates Courts Committee published annual reports which are the principal means by which committees account to their paying authorities, to the Lord Chancellor and to the public. We will take forward the recommendations of the MCSI' s thematic review in consultation with the Inspectorate themselves, the Central Council of Magistrates Courts Committees and the Local Government Association.