§ Ian LucasTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs (1) if he will list the Court Service's dealings with Workham Marketing for the last three years; [150444]
(2) whether outside bodies are permitted to hold fundraising meetings in the Royal Courts of Justice; [150445]
315W(3) Affairs whether outside bodies are permitted to hold sporting events in the Royal Courts of Justice; [150446]
(4) whether outside bodies are permitted to hold political meetings in the Royal Courts of Justice; [150447]
(5) under what circumstances the Court Service hires the Royal Courts of Justice to outside bodies. [150448]
§ Mr. LeslieThe Royal Courts of Justice, through the Wider Markets Initiative, have been hiring out their facilities over the last two years for a range of functions. A booking was taken for a boxing charity fundraiser through the company Workham Marketing. Unfortunately the normal procedures for bookings were not followed in this case. When a senior official examined the detail of the booking it was found that Workham Marketing were representing the Countryside Alliance, a non-charitable campaigning organisation. Since finding this out the booking has been cancelled and all necessary refunds have been made. The only other dealings that the Royal Courts of Justice have had with Workham Marketing are enquiries about the availability of other dates. In operating the Wider Markets Initiative the Court Service is concerned to maintain the independence and neutrality of the courts.