HC Deb 11 December 1952 vol 509 cc649-50
26. Mr. Driberg

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the inconvenience caused to witnesses, jurors and others by the great increase of work at the county quarter sessions at Chelmsford and the longer sittings necessitated thereby; and if, in order to mitigate such inconvenience, he will consider restoring the Maldon borough court of quarter sessions and commission of the peace.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I am aware of the increase in the number of cases committed for trial at the Essex Quarter Sessions in recent years, but it would not be possible to adopt the suggestion that the borough of Maldon should have restored to it its separate commission of the peace and quarter sessions since there is now no power to grant a separation commission to any borough with a population less than 65,000.

Mr. Driberg

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the great difficulties about bus services and other transport in the remoter rural areas, and the real difficulty experienced by witnesses and others in getting to Chelmsford, and in finding, on arrival there, a long waiting-list and great overcrowding of the court? If the appropriate power does not exist, should not the Home Secretary ask the House to give him power ad hoc?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

That would be rather difficult, because I should have to disclose to the House that in the four years from 1948 to 1951 the total number of cases committed for trial at the Maldon borough quarter sessions was 10 and the number of cases committed for trial at the Essex county quarter sessions during those years was 1,709. I shall, however, look into the general problem which the. hon. Member has raised.

Mr. Driberg

The right hon. and learned Gentleman has not quite understood my proposal. I am not proposing merely the restoration of the old court, but asking whether it would be possible to send to Maldon instead of to Chelmsford cases from the remoter parts of the Maldon rural district, the Dengie Hundred and elsewhere.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I will look into that; it presents difficulties, but I shall certainly look into it.