HC Deb 11 December 1952 vol 509 cc652-3
2. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the time spent by police officers in attending magistrates' courts in the Metropolitan Police area to give evidence in uncontested cases of speeding and parking offences; and what steps he is taking to make better use of the time of these officers.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis makes considerable use of cautions, both oral and written, so as to avoid trivial cases being brought before the courts. If a defendant who is summoned to appear in court asks for his case to be dealt with in his absence, police officers whose evidence does no more than corroborate that of the officer reporting the case do not attend court. I am considering if there are ways of reducing still further the time spent by police officers in attending court.

Mr. Hynd

While I greatly appreciate the further consideration that is being given, will the Home Secretary bear in mind that as certain documents can now be put in for purposes of defence without the attendance of the people who prepared them, and as the accused do not have to appear if they send a letter pleading guilty, would not it be possible to accept the evidence of even the principal officer in writing where no objection is raised by the accused person?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I will look into that, but, of course, the right to cross-examine is extremely important if the defendant is going to dispute any fact stated.

Mr. Ede

Can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say whether there are any means by which the justices may know before the case is called that it is not going to be contested?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

Only if they get a letter—that is one of the matters to which I referred—and, of course, even then, they may well want to see one officer in order to get the circumstances clear.

Mr. E. L. Mallalieu

; Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the loss of time that also occurs in these courts through the practice of remanding cases to a series of short hearings when they could be finished perfectly easily in one hearing?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

That is a different point, but I will be glad to look into it.

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