Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Viscount Tenby (Crossbench). It was answered on Tuesday, 28 June 2005.

Magistrates’ Courts in Mid-Wales

Question: My Lords, I declare an interest as an ex-chairman of a Bench, who has presided over the closure and amalgamation of courts. Would the Minister agree with me that there is greater sensitivity about the closure and amalgamation of such courts in thinly populated areas where local transport is almost non-existent? Would she further agree that inaccessible justice is often justice denied?

Answer: My Lords, the noble Viscount is right to raise the issue of transport. Indeed, in preparing for this Question that was a point that I raised with officials. We have a policy within Her Majesty's Court Service that public transport links must enable people to travel to court within the guideline travel time of one and a half hours. Indeed, for this particular Question from my noble friend Lord Williams I checked the bus and other travel times. They come in within the hour, which fits very well within the accessibility criteria. I agree wholeheartedly with the noble Viscount that it is important to ensure, as we do in our strategic plan, that transport is taken into account.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 673 c123
Session: 2005-06
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Construction Finance Dyfed Magistrates' courts Public private partnerships Powys