Written question asked by Simon Thomas (Plaid Cymru) on Thursday, 22 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 September 2004. It was answered by Chris Leslie (Labour) on Thursday, 9 September 2004 on behalf of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Dept for Constitutional Affairs

Question: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs, what estimate has been made of the cost of bringing the cells in Aberystwyth Magistrates' Court up to the health and safety standard required to allow them to be used to hold offenders.

Answer: Mr. Simon Thomas: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what estimate has been made of the cost of bringing the cells in Aberystwyth Magistrates Court up to the health and safety standard required to allow them to be used to hold offenders. [187078] Mr. Leslie: Aberystwyth Magistrates Court is still used for custodial cases, but on a limited basis (for cases for trial or sentence only). The local authority has responsibility for Aberystwyth Magistrates Court until it is transferred to my Department on 1 April 2005. An assessment of the cell area has been made by the Magistrates Court Committee, which concluded that the cell area could not be adapted to the extent that it would meet all the standards. This is due to structural issues, which prevent the required level of work. Consequently, no estimate has been prepared. My Department is currently considering proposals to provide alternative facilities in the Aberystwyth area.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 424 c1359W;424 c1367W; 187078
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Costs Buildings Police custody Magistrates' courts Standards Repairs and maintenance Aberystwyth
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk