Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) effect on cost and (b) security implications for (i) court staff and (ii) witnesses of using alternative civic buildings for video links or court hearings.

All proposals to use alternative venues for video links or courts hearings will be assessed to make sure they are cost effective and secure for court staff, users and the judiciary. Security risk assessments will be carried out at all venues and appropriate measures will be put in place, including the deployment of designated Court Security Officers at the venue where appropriate.