MAGISTRATES' COURTS

Early day motion 312, tabled 23 June 2010 by Chris Bryant (Labour). Signed by 72 members.

That this House notes that Magistrates' Courts are a vital local front line service, providing support for witnesses and victims of crime and prosecuting justice on a wide range of issues; is deeply concerned at the threat of closure to Magistrates' Courts in Northwich, Southport, Penrith, Runcorn, Whitehaven, Rawtenstall, Chorley, Salford, Bury, Guisborough, Bishop Auckland, Tynedale, Alnwick, Blaydon, Gosforth, Houghton Le Spring, Goole, Skipton, Selby, Batley and Dewsbury, Keighley sitting at the Bingley Court House, Rochdale, Pontefract, Barry, Aberdare, Llwynypia, Ammanford, Cardigan, Llandovery, Denbigh, Pwllheli, Flint, Chepstow, Abertillery, Abergavenny, Llangefni, Halesowen, Sutton Coldfield, West Bromwich, Rugby, Stoke, Tamworth, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Oswestry, Ilkeston, Newark, Worksop, Retford, Coalville, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray, Spalding, Towcester, Daventry, Rutland, Kettering, Frome, Bridgwater, Liskeard, Newton Abbot, Camborne, Totnes, Honiton, Penzance, Blandford Forum, Wimborne, Coleford, Cirencester, Stroud, Andover, Alton, Lyndhurst, Grays, Harlow, Epping, Ely, Wisbech, Thetford, Cromer, Swaffham, Sudbury, Ashford, Sittingbourne, Epsom, Woking, Mid-Sussex, Lewes, Bicester, Hemel Hempstead, Witney, Amersham, Newbury, Didcot, Acton, Haringey (Highgate), Harrow, Sutton, Barking, Brentford, Kingston, Woolwich, Balham Youth Court, Waltham Forest and Tower Bridge; believes that if these closures go ahead fewer victims of crime will get justice; and calls on the Government to think again.

Signatures by party: Labour 66, Liberal Democrat 3, Green 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.