To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the White Paper on the future organisation of the magistrates courts as announced in his answer to the hon. Member for Tynemouth (Mr. Trotter) on 19 December, Official Report, columns 250–51.

My noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor, who is to take responsibility for the magistrates courts service from 1 April, and I have today published the White Paper "A New Framework for Local Justice", and copies have been placed in the Library of the House.