In Parliament

Jessica Calls for Court Building Funding to be Speeded up 01 May 2008

Jessica Morden (Newport, East) (Lab): If he will make a statement on funding for court buildings in Wales. [202046]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Maria Eagle): The former Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice Lord Falconer made a statement on 25 June 2007 about a £400 million investment in new courts in England and Wales. My hon. Friend might be interested to learn that the Her Majesty's Courts Service asset management committee considered a strategic outline case for a new courthouse in Newport on 23 April 2008. Further work is now required before a final funding decision can be reached.

Jessica Morden: Newport has needed a new courthouse for 25 years, and an inspection in 2002 deemed the current facilities unfit for purpose. Please could the Minister talk to the Treasury about speeding up the financial approval for this project, as it is the No. 1 priority in terms of new court buildings in Wales?

Maria Eagle: I am very happy to discuss with my hon. Friend the details of the stage that we have reached in examining potential investment in that courthouse. I accept that Her Majesty's Courts Service, regionally and nationally, has decided that the magistrates court in Newport is the most pressing priority in that area. I am happy to discuss the matter further with her, should she wish to do so.

Read full debate on Court Buildings - Link to Hansard