Work of the County Court: Government Response

Debate between Tessa Munt and Wera Hobhouse
Thursday 23rd October 2025

(6 days, 14 hours ago)

Westminster Hall
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Wera Hobhouse Portrait Wera Hobhouse (in the Chair)
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I remind Members that we have to finish the statement at 1.50 pm. Anyone who wishes to speak, please bob—including the Minister, if she wishes to ask a question. Please keep comments short, and Members can only ask one question.

Tessa Munt Portrait Tessa Munt (Wells and Mendip Hills) (LD)
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The report to which the Government are responding outlines that the county court is in complete crisis. As the hon. Member for Hammersmith and Chiswick (Andy Slaughter) said, the county court is where the majority of our constituents will encounter the justice system, and it is the Cinderella service of the justice system. Does he agree that it is under pressure and experiencing significant operational problems, that the state of disrepair of the buildings is absolutely emblematic of a system that is completely in crisis, and that more must be done to repair and reinstate these buildings? It is totally unfair that we should ask court staff, be that the judiciary or the staff who back up the judges, to work in those circumstances. It is appalling.

Pavement Parking

Debate between Tessa Munt and Wera Hobhouse
Wednesday 3rd September 2025

(1 month, 3 weeks ago)

Westminster Hall
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Westminster Hall is an alternative Chamber for MPs to hold debates, named after the adjoining Westminster Hall.

Each debate is chaired by an MP from the Panel of Chairs, rather than the Speaker or Deputy Speaker. A Government Minister will give the final speech, and no votes may be called on the debate topic.

This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record

Tessa Munt Portrait Tessa Munt (Wells and Mendip Hills) (LD)
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On exactly that issue, I represent the city of Wells, which has wonderful, beautiful streets, but when delivery vehicles park on the pavements, they break the paving slabs. That makes it an absolute peril for people who have accessibility problems and are less mobile. Does my hon. Friend agree that that has to be dealt with soon, otherwise groups such as Accessible Wells, which I am meant to meet tomorrow, will not have—

Wera Hobhouse Portrait Wera Hobhouse (in the Chair)
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Order. I must now call the Front Benchers.