HC Deb 14 January 2004 vol 416 cc766-7W
Vera Baird

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what effect combining magistrates courts with criminal jurisdictions and magistrates courts with civil and family jurisdictions has had, particularly with reference to shared waiting room facilities. [147665]

Mr. Leslie

When magistrates courts combine courts with criminal jurisdictions with courts with civil and family jurisdictions, they will routinely offer separate waiting facilities where practicable. However, there may be local and unavoidable circumstances when those waiting for criminal and civil and family hearings are required to share facilities.