Burstow & Brake lambast decision to close Sutton Courthouse

12.00.00pm GMT Thu 15th May 2003

Burstow & Brake working to improve Sutton's facilities

In a debate in the House of Commons local MPs Paul Burstow and Tom Brake today called into question the way the decision to close Sutton Magistrates Court is being handled. The debate in the House of Commons focussed specifically on the transparency and accountability of the Greater London Magistrates Court Authority.

In the debate Paul Burstow said:-

"I have been unable to find anyone in my constituency who supports the closure. It has been opposed by magistrates at Sutton and Croydon, by constituency MPs, the London Borough of Sutton, the Metropolitan Police Authority, the Witness Support Service, and many court users and local residents.

"The plans to close local courthouses are being taken by an unaccountable body using inadequate and flawed information. There has been no genuine consultation. Above all the closure of local courthouses, including the one in Sutton, lacks compelling evidence to demonstrate that it will 'improve the level of service delivery to court users at the point of delivery - in the courtrooms and at the courthouses.'"

Tom Brake who has already raised the future of the Court with the Prime Minister in Prime Minister Questions, confirmed during today's debate that he had written to the Prime Minister. Mr Brake has requested that the Prime Minster visits the Court and meets residents to see for himself the strength of feeling locally in favour of keeping the Court in Wallington.

Mr Brake said:-

"The Magistrates Court is central to our local justice system. Bean-counters must not be allowed to close it down."

ENDS

The debate was held between 3.30pm and 4pm in the House of Commons. It was called by Mr Burstow specifically to discuss the closure of Sutton Magistrate Court.

The full debate can be read at: http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/cm200203/cmhansrd/cm030514/halltext/30514h04.htm#30514h04_head0