Supreme Court

HL Deb 19 November 2003 vol 654 cc334-5WA

Earl Attlee

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their estimate of (a) the cost of establishing the proposed Supreme Court; and (b) the court's annual running costs. [HL5440]

Lord Filkin

Until the building to house the Supreme Court has been identified it is not possible to answer either part of the question. The Government hope to make a decision on the location of the Supreme Court in spring 2004.

Earl Attlee

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their estimate of the number and cost of staff required to run the proposed Supreme Court efficiently. [HL5441]

Lord Filkin

Officials from my department have had a preliminary discussion with the Lords of Appeal in Ordinary about the number of staff required to support the court. No decision has been made on numbers as this may be influenced by the choice of building.

Earl Attlee

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many square feet of accommodation are envisaged for the proposed Supreme Court. [HL5442]

Lord Filkin

The draft statement of requirements for the building, which has been discussed with the Lords of Appeal in Ordinary, measures approximately 3,000 square metres (32,292 square feet).