Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Oral Answers to Questions

Andy Slaughter Excerpts
Tuesday 9th September 2014

(9 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Shailesh Vara Portrait Mr Vara
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There has been a consultation of which the local MP is aware, and he, like anyone else, is entitled to give his view in that. We are constantly reviewing the courts estate to ensure that it meets operational needs. If any decisions are to be taken on the hon. Gentleman’s particular court, I hope that he will have been active in making his views heard.

Andy Slaughter Portrait Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab)
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Yesterday, leading counsel told the High Court that the Lord Chancellor was causing

“very serious harm to the…criminal justice system”

and described his modus operandi as

“a caricature of fairness: empty abuses, bluff and bully, divide and rule”.

Beyond the closure of hundreds of courts and law firms and the destruction of legal aid, what else does the Lord Chancellor have in mind to undermine the rule of law, which his oath of office requires him to uphold?