What progress has been made on planning for the opening and operation of Nightingale courts? The Minister already knows that Nottingham's police and crime commissioner, chief constable, and I are concerned about delays in bringing serious criminal cases to trial and the lack of a Nightingale court in Nottinghamshire. Why is progress slow? 200 were needed; what prevents addressing this problem?

There are huge delays in the justice system. HMCTS reports 53,000 cases waiting to be heard by Crown courts. In Cambridgeshire, housing associations report problems with papers for community protection notices. How many Nightingale courts are hearing criminal trials today and how many will be by end of 2021?

The Minister knows that Nottingham's police and crime commissioner, chief constable, and I are concerned about delays in bringing serious criminal cases to trial and the lack of a Nightingale court in Nottinghamshire. We look forward to promised discussions but all Members want to understand why progress is slow. 200 were needed; what prevents addressing this problem? How much investment has the Treasury earmarked for Nightingale courts?

The extra investment is important and should be recognised, and Nightingale courts can make an important addition to court capacity, but does my hon. Friend the Minister agree that most Nightingale courts are not equipped to handle custody cases? Is not the long-term solution sustained investment to ensure all physical Crown courts sit maximum days safely?

The Government's answer to scale of crisis is higher backlog in past, but Minister knows this distracts. In 2010, cases took 391 days; by 2019, closed half courts, reduced sitting days to 27,000, and each case took 511 days with 30% fewer cases completed but 75% longer time. How can he be so complacent announcing just 40 extra rooms when HMCTS head said we need 200?