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Courts Service Estate

I am most grateful, Mr Speaker-you predicted absolutely correctly that I am coming immediately to the end of my response to the Minister's statement. This wholesale closure sums up the Government's approach to cutting local services in this and every other area-"Let's get on with the cuts and worry about the effects later." This programme of closures amounts to a wholesale destruction of this foundation stone of much of British justice, and the Minister should be ashamed to bring it before the House.