§ Mr. TownendTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will review the decision of the Humberside Magistrates Courts Committee to close the court houses in east Yorkshire and change the petty sessions areas. [140562]
§ Jane KennedyThe Justices of the Peace Act 1997 provides that decisions concerning magistrates courts and petty sessions areas are for the local magistrates courts committee.
I have received three appeals against proposed courthouse closures in the Humberside Magistrates Courts Committee area. When the parties have completed their representations, I will decide the appeals. I have one application to reorganise petty sessions areas in the same area. I will consider this application when it is complete.