§ Dr. FrancisTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what role is envisaged for magistrates in the proposed local management boards; which agencies will sit on such boards; and who will ensure that objectives are(a) set and (b) met. [78691]
§ Yvette CooperIt is the Government's stated intention to bring together the administration of all courts in England and Wales, below the House of Lords, into a new executive agency. We intend to set up local boards to enable representatives of users and the wider community to be involved in the decision making process about the administration of courts in their area. The precise membership of the boards is yet to be determined, although we envisage that the magistracy will be represented. The setting of the objectives for the new organisation as a whole and the assessment of performance will be a matter for the Lord Chancellor. The local boards will be involved in ensuring that the objectives are met.