Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jonathan Djanogly and John Pugh

Tuesday 13th December 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Djanogly]

Of course. It is vital that we ensure that our proposals for transforming bailiff action do not impose unreasonable burdens on business. To that end, we are undertaking further work to explore all the regulatory and non-regulatory options available.

[John Pugh (Southport) (LD)]

10. How many trials in magistrates courts in Merseyside were abandoned or deferred due to the non-appearance of either defendants or witnesses in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mr Jonathan Djanogly)]

In the last 12 months—from July 2010 to June 2011—for which data are available, there were a total of 5,239 trials in magistrates courts in Merseyside. Of those, 615, or 12%, did not go ahead on the day due to the absence of a witness, while 151—3%—did not go ahead due to the absence of a defendant.

[John Pugh]

In recognising the problem, does the Minister think that it will be made worse by the closure of magistrates courts in places such as Southport, and will he monitor the situation?

[Mr Djanogly]

We are certainly monitoring the situation, and I do so virtually on a weekly basis. Since 2009, until closure, Southport courts sat on three days per week. The court utilisation figure prior to consultation on closure was 33%. Since the work was transferred to Bootle courts, the utilisation level of Bootle has increased from 49% to 68% for the month of October 2011.

Courts Service Estate

Debate between Jonathan Djanogly and John Pugh

Tuesday 14th December 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Djanogly]

That is my understanding, yes.

[Dr John Pugh (Southport) (LD)]

Why is the Minister still looking for magistrates court space in Liverpool while closing down the purpose-built Southport magistrates court? Where is the sense or the saving in that?

[Mr Djanogly]

Replacement of the inadequate facilities at the Liverpool magistrates courts at Dale street and Victoria street is, and remains, a top-priority scheme for Her Majesty’s Courts Service.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jonathan Djanogly and John Pugh

Tuesday 19th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Dr John Pugh (Southport) (LD)]

T10. The Ministry has a laudable and exemplary commitment to evidence-led policy. Given that, can the Minister assure me that when he reviews the magistrates courts, he will look critically at the information on the condition and use of Southport’s courts in the Ministry’s consultation document—which is, frankly, duff, inaccurate and misleading?

[Mr Djanogly]

I do not know how the consultation report was misleading, but if the hon. Gentleman contacts me later I shall be happy to look at it.