Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will meet the hon. Member for Houghton and Sunderland and the hon. Member for Sunderland Central to discuss the future of the Sunderland Court Estate.

The letter sent by the Minister of State on 12 December to the Hon. Member for Sunderland Central and the Hon. Member for Houghton and Sunderland outlined the improvements being made to the court estate in Sunderland.

The decision to integrate court and tribunal sites in Sunderland into the Magistrates’ Court building will enable us to focus investment into a single building in Sunderland. This will result in a better standard of accommodation and improve the experience of those who use the court.

I am still considering future meetings and visits but in the meantime, I would be happy to consider any comments the Hon. Member may have regarding these plans through correspondence.