MAGISTRATES COURTS IN RURAL WALES

Early day motion 486, tabled 26 March 2001 by Simon Thomas (Plaid Cymru). Signed by 9 members.

That this House believes that reasonable access to magistrates' and crown courts for visitors, the public and court users should be central to the Government's criminal justice system; is concerned to hear of the current proposals of Dyfed Powys Magistrates' Courts Committee to reduce substantially the provision of courtrooms and houses in mid and west Wales; agrees that some of the Government's policies militate against the maintenance of rural courts; and therefore urges the Lord Chancellor's Department to consider alternative measures and guidelines for rural courts, giving less emphasis to workload and capacity and more to access and reach, and undertaking a review of policies regarding double courtrooms and the innovative use of information technology.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 6, Plaid Cymru 3.