Topical question asked in the House of Commons, by Tom Brake (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Tuesday, 29 January 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Topical Questions

Question: In the words of the Under-Secretary of State for Justice, the hon. Member for Lewisham, East (Bridget Prentice), Sutton magistrates court ““serves the community of Sutton…and it does so to a high standard.””—[ Official Report, 5 July 2006; Vol. 448, c. 277WH.] With the clustering of courts now proceeding, and Sutton magistrates court losing staff to Croydon, making it more difficult to access files and pushing up overhead costs, will the Secretary of State reconfirm that there is no planned closure of the court?

Answer: As the hon. Gentleman knows, closure was considered under a proposal made in 2002. A final decision was made by my then hon. Friend Christopher Leslie, who was a Minister in the Department for Constitutional Affairs, and announced at the beginning of 2006. I am not aware of any plans for closure now. If there are any, I shall ensure that the hon. Gentleman is made fully aware of them quickly.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 471 c162-3
Session: 2007-08
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Magistrates' courts Sutton Departmental responsibilities Ministry of Justice
Link: View this Topical question on www.publications.parliament.uk