To ask the Attorney-General if there are any proposals to change the level of staffing in the county courts; and if he will make a statement.

The number of court staff will be increased by about 350 in the coming financial year, and subsequently by up to a further 100 during the transitional period while new initiatives are being introduced.At the same time the introduction of a computerised summons production centre and the curtailment of the county court banking function will release staff time savings equivalent to about 350 staff.