HC Deb 28 March 2001 vol 365 cc657-8W
Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many employees of the Magistrates Courts Service have(a) had their salaries cut and (b) been downgraded as a consequence of his reorganisation of the magistrates courts. [155456]

Jane Kennedy

The Department does not collect data on either aspect of this question. The staffing arrangements for magistrates courts are for individual magistrates courts committees.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what the longest distance is that an accused person is expected to travel to attend a magistrates court; and what this distance will be under the new administrative arrangements being considered by her Department. [155455]

Jane Kennedy

I am not considering any "new administrative an arrangements". I understand West Yorkshire Magistrates Courts Service have consulted on possible changes to Petty Sessions Areas within the county. The consultation period is now closed and the magistrates courts committee (MCC) met yesterday to discuss the outcome.

There is no set distance someone is expected to travel to attend a magistrates court. The concept of "local justice" will differ depending on the MCC area concerned. As a locally managed service, each magistrates courts committee is responsible for providing an efficient and effective service to court users. It is for the committee to decide whether its number and location of courthouses meet its needs as it has the best knowledge of the local area.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations she has had from the Magistrates Association and other groups involved in the civil justice system expressing concern over plans to rationalise the court areas of the magistracy. [155454]

Jane Kennedy

The Lord Chancellor's Department has not received any representations from either the Magistrates Association or other groups involved in the civil justice system expressing concern over plans to rationalise the court areas of the magistracy either in West Yorkshire magistrates courts committee area or any other magistrates courts committee area.