Rural Magistrates Courts

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Home Department – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 7 November 1991.

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Photo of Mr John Patten Mr John Patten , Oxford West and Abingdon 12:00, 7 November 1991

It is extremely important that small rural benches—provided that they are large enough to provide the necessary range of skills and an adequate number of people to dispense rural justice—are kept. But it is also the case that suggestions for amalgamation of rural—or, indeed, urban—benches come not from my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary but from the magistrates courts committees in the areas concerned.