§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether decisions have yet been taken concerning proposed closures of magistrates' courts in Somerset at Frome, Wells and Minehead; if so, how they justify them; and whether estimates have been made of the extra costs that would be imposed on all non-official court users, if all or any of these courts were to be closed. [HL4137]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalDecisions on the future of magistrates' courts in Frome, Wells and Minehead are for the Avon and Somerset Magistrates' Courts Committee to determine, in consultation with the local paying authority.
On 3 April 2002, the Avon and Somerset Magistrates' Courts Committee (MCC) made an initial decision that there might no longer be a business case to preserve the court buildings at these three facilities. However, they have yet to start any consultation or determine the closure of these three courts. The MCC has appointed a multi-agency group to look at the outcome of possible closures in the region and will meet on 10 July 2002 to consider its findings.