MP takes Justice Secretary to task over court delays in Cumbria

 On the floor of the House of Commons yesterday, MP Tim Farron questioned the Secretary of State for Justice, David Lammy, about the huge backlog of court cases in Cumbria.

Last year, there were 402 outstanding cases waiting to be dealt with at Carlisle Crown Court – compared to 373 in the previous year.

Tim also urged the Justice Secretary to scrap controversial plans to reduce access to jury trials.

Speaking in Parliament, Tim said: “Last year, Carlisle Crown Court saw a reduction of 71 sitting days. 

“Add to that the fact that Westmorland, our neck of the woods, lost our magistrates court in Kendal 10 years ago. Does that not remind us that backlogs are not because Britain has juries, but because we lack capacity in our judicial system? 

“Will the Secretary of State restore those sitting days to Carlisle, and extend the number of sitting days in Lancaster, too? Will he also look at restoring magistrates courts to places like Westmorland?”

Responding, Justice Secretary David Lammy said: “As I said, the number is now uncapped, so the honourable member will be pleased to hear that Carlisle will have the maximum number of sitting days that it can possibly have. 

“He will note that there were substantial magistrates courts closures under the last Government, and a massive reduction in the number of magistrates. 

“He will also have noted the extra funding that we have found, along with our ambition to increase the number of magistrates across the country.”