§ Lord Lester of Herne Hillasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they intend to authorise private consortia to take over the financing, management or control of courts in England and Wales; and, if so, upon what terms and conditions they will do so. [HL243]
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)The Government have no intention of involving the private sector in the management or control of courts. A total of 16 private finance initiative contracts for the construction and maintenance of combined, Crown and magistrates' court buildings have been awarded or are being negotiated.