§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many appeals against closure of magistrates courts there were in 1990; and if he will make a statement. [135204]
§ Jane KennedyThe information required to answer the question of how many appeals against the closure of magistrates courts there were in 1990 is not readily accessible. I will in due course, write to the hon. Member to provide the information he requests. The Lord Chancellor's Department assumed responsibility for policy for magistrates courts from the Home Office in April 1992.
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 future of magistrates courts are for local magistrates courts committees to determine.
§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many magistrates courts there were in England and Wales in(a) 1990 and (b) 1999. [135205]
§ Jane KennedyMy Department does not hold records for 1990. Prior to 1992 magistrates courts were the responsibility of the Home Office. I will in due course write to the hon. Member to provide an estimate of the number of courts in 1990.
416WDefinitive information about courthouse numbers was not held centrally until 1995, when there were 516 magistrates courts in England and Wales. In 1999 there were 436.
§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) appeals and (b) successful appeals against closure of magistrates courts there were in (i) 1997, (ii) 1998 and (iii) 1999. [135203]
§ Jane KennedyThe information requested is set out in the table.
Appeals Successful appeals 1997 17 2 1998 26 1 1999 9 1