MP calls for better use of court time
20th July 2010
David Burrowes raises concerns about the waste of court time dealing with minor prosecutions and asks if they could not be better dealt with elsewhere - for example in a town hall?
Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con): Last week an Enfield magistrate complained to me about the waste of court time. That magistrate spends one day a week dealing with prosecutions for dropping cigarette butts. If such cases are to be prosecuted, surely it would be in the best interests of the taxpayer and justice for them to be heard in a town hall, rather than in a courthouse?
Nick Herbert: It is important for us to look at the opportunities for the administration of justice that lie outside buildings. There has been the development of what became known as the "summary justice agenda", which is actually administrative justice, with things such as penalty notices for disorder. However, I would be happy to talk to my hon. Friend about whether the case that he has raised has been dealt with in an appropriate manner.
