Part of 2. Questions to the Counsel General and Minister for European Transition (in respect of his 'law officer' responsibilities) – in the Senedd at 2:38 pm on 12 January 2021.
We have had discussions with the Ministry of Justice in relation to appropriate court facilities across Wales for the purposes that the Member has referred to today. There has been a magistrates' court recovery programme, on which the Ministry of Justice position is that that is largely work in terms of building back capacity in all parts of Wales, including in north Wales. And in the Crown courts system, there have been some refurbishment works and repurposing works to courtrooms in order to extend capacity, and, as the Member will be aware, in south Wales in particular, the use of Nightingale courts as well. But the point that the Member makes is very important, in that the impact of COVID can be felt in many different aspects of our society, and obviously in the justice system as well. And I'm pleased that she has highlighted this issue in proceedings today; it's a matter that, as a Government, we continue to make representations to the Ministry of Justice.