§ Andrew SelousTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will change his policy of charging victim care charities market rents for office space created for agencies working closely with the criminal justice system in new magistrates courts. [179008]
§ Mr. LeslieI have been asked to reply.
Magistrates courts are expected to provide office space at no cost for 'Support Care Staff' for the use of referring to papers and conducting occasional interviews while at the courthouse. Agreement on the provision of accommodation is reached on this basis. Should the requirement of victim care charities exceed this agreement, negotiations are made locally. However, the launch of Her Majesty's Courts Service (HMCS) in April 2005 will provide an opportunity to assess all current estates, contracts and maintenance arrangements and
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Crown Prosecution Service case outcomes 2001 2002 2003 Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Magistrates courts Finalised of which 1,373,426 — 1,411,903 — 1,485,408 — Pre-charge advice 45,580 — 57,505 — 117,172 — Non-criminal proceedings 11,063 — 9,221 — 15,337 — Case outcomes Discontinuances (including bind overs) 198,908 16.2 197,940 15.7 181,423 14.3 Warrants etc. 73,790 6.0 78,758 6.3 73,432 5.8 Committals discharged 766 0.1 931 0.1 1,693 0.1 Dismissals no case to answer 1,632 0.1 1,722 0.1 2,575 0.2 Dismissals after trial 14,645 1.2 15,458 1.2 15,852 1.3 Total unsuccessful outcomes 289,741 23.5 294,809 23.4 274,975 21.7 Guilty pleas 786,380 63.9 803,859 63.9 799,354 63.2 Proofs in absence 117,882 9.6 119,659 9.5 144,521 11.4 deliver seamless integration of the Court Service and magistrates courts estates to improve and provide efficient services.