HC Deb 10 April 2002 vol 383 cc41-2W
Mr. George Osborne

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to change the number of Crown courts. [47588]

Mr. Wills

Public consultation on a proposal to close the satellite Crown court at Knutsford and move hearings to Chester is due to commence today. There are currently no plans to change the number of Crown courts or their satellite offices in England and Wales.

Mr. George Osborne

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many cases were tried at Knutsford Crown court in each of the last 20 years. [47587]

Mr. Wills

I list below the number of trials disposed of in each of the last 16 years at Knutsford Crown court. The figures for the previous four years are not available.

Trials disposed of at Knutsford Crown court
Total trials disposed of
1986 50
1987 68
1988 100
1989 108
1990 92
1991 44
1992 22
1993 50
1994 56
1995 59
1996 54
1997 86
1998 91
1999 82
2000 98
2001 108

Mr. George Osborne

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the future of the Crown court at Knutsford. [47589]

Mr. Wills

Public consultation on a proposal to close the satellite Crown court at Knutsford is due to commence today. Results of the consultation will be submitted to the Lord Chancellor who must approve any court closure.

Mr. George Osborne

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many Crown courts there were in England in each of the last 20 years. [47586]

Mr. Wills

I list below the number of Crown court centres, including their satellite offices, for each of the last 16 years. The figures for the previous four years are not recorded.

Crown court centres and satellite offices
Number
1986 85
1987 85
1988 87
1989 87
1990 88
1991 88
1992 93
1993 92
1994 90
1995 90
1996 92
1997 92
1998 92
1999 92
2000 92
2001 92

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