HC Deb 25 January 2000 vol 343 c181W
Mr. Paterson

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the service provided by rural magistrates courts. [104967]

Jane Kennedy

The Government's policy is that magistrates courts are best managed locally by magistrates courts committees under the provisions of the Justices of the Peace Act 1997. Decisions concerning the service provided at magistrates courts in their area, irrespective of location, are for the relevant magistrates courts committee to determine.