Kevin Foster (Torbay) (Con)
It is a pleasure to present this petition from residents of Torbay. As the House might be aware, the proposed closure of Torquay magistrates court has raised concerns among court users and residents of the bay concerned that there might no longer be a system of local justice for a range of offences within the bay. There is a particular concern that our local police might end up acting almost as a taxi service between Torquay and Plymouth for custody purposes—
Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Lindsay Hoyle)
Order. This is a petition, not a speech.
Kevin Foster
I am delighted to present this petition from 390 residents of Torbay.
The petition states:
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to reconsider the proposed closure of services in Torquay and commit to keeping justice local in the Bay.
I would particularly like to thank Lesley Hawath, who helped collect many of the signatures.
Following is the full text of the petition:
[The petition of the residents of Torbay,
Declares that the closure of Torquay Magistrates' Court will have a detrimental impact on court users and a wider implication that justice is no longer to be decided at a local level by local people. The closure will mean that victims, witnesses and those accused will have to travel much further to achieve justice.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to reconsider the proposed closure of services in Torquay and commit to keeping justice local in the Bay.
And the petitioners remain, etc.
[P001555]