HC Deb 14 May 1956 vol 552 cc1641-2
29. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Attorney-General what steps he is taking to amend the law of criminal procedure relating to the preferment of indictments.

The Attorney-General

None.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Attorney-General remember that, with the permission of the House, I introduced a Private Members' Bill to ensure that every accused person shall have notice of all charges against him before trial and that this desirable reform has been blocked by objection each Friday, and will he discontinue this vicarious opposition to it?

The Attorney-General

I cannot regard this as a beneficial Bill. Alterations with regard to procedure in relation to indictments do not require a Bill. Alterations to such procedure can be made either by a practice direction, or by a rule under one of the indictments rules.