Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to the letter to the hon. Member for Houghton and Sunderland South and the hon. Member for Sunderland Central from the former Courts and Justice Minister on 31 March 2017, on what date and at what time (a) discussions and (b) meetings held between HM Courts and Tribunals Service and (i) Sunderland City Council and (ii) Siglion Developments to discuss a new public sector hub at Keele Square took place in the last 12 months.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is considering options to improve its court and tribunal estate in Sunderland and a decision will be announced in due course.

The put option currently runs until March 2019 and enables HMCTS to carefully consider all options before a decision is made. No costs have been paid to Sunderland City Council to extend this option since the contract was made.

Officials are in contact with Sunderland City Council and its partners regarding land owned by HMCTS at Farringdon Road to explore the future potential of the land including for the delivery of a public sector hub. HMCTS met with Sunderland City Council and Siglion Developments at noon on 20 December 2016, 11:00 on 15 February 2017 and 10:00 on 21 March 2017.