Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed moves to employ more magistrates in the UK on Barnett Consequentials for Northern Ireland.

Justice is devolved in Northern Ireland, so decisions on the recruitment and deployment of magistrates there are a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive.

Any Barnett consequentials arising from changes in UK Government spending are calculated in accordance with the established Barnett formula. It is for the Northern Ireland Executive to decide how to allocate its block grant, including funding for devolved justice services.