A service from mySociety A service from mySociety

TheyWorkForYou

Menu

Courthouse (Colchester)

Oral Answers to Questions — Lord Chancellor's Department – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 11 June 2002.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Bob Russell Bob Russell Liberal Democrat, Colchester 2:30, 11 June 2002

When work will start on a new courthouse in Colchester.

Photo of Yvette Cooper Yvette Cooper Parliamentary Secretary (Lord Chancellor's Department)

I understand that work on building the new courthouse in Colchester is planned to start in early 2005.

Photo of Bob Russell Bob Russell Liberal Democrat, Colchester

Will the Minister confirm that the additional delay in building the new courthouse has been caused by the nonsense of putting all the court services in Essex in the same private finance initiative basket, and by problems elsewhere in Essex?

Photo of Yvette Cooper Yvette Cooper Parliamentary Secretary (Lord Chancellor's Department)

The magistrates courts committee has to decide about the programme of work and investment in courts in Colchester and the surrounding area. The hon. Gentleman will know that Thurrock borough council has appealed against the MCC decision to close the Grays courthouse. That decision and an appeal against it need to be considered. Ministers have to take account of all the factors raised by both the council and the MCC. However, it is important that the programme of work continues and, as I said, we expect work on the new courthouse to start in 2005.