To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the possible effect on local criminal justice teams of the regionalisation of some services. (106331)

The decision to proceed with the restructuring of Her Majesty’s Courts Service administrative areas was taken on the basis that it would not directly impact on the judiciary or criminal justice partners in the criminal justice system. The new area directors are committed to attending local criminal justice boards and aim to provide the same level of service. Where an area director is unable to attend an HMCS representative will act as a replacement, with authority to commit resources on behalf of the area director.