§ 28. Mr. D. Footasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether Her Majesty's Government have now considered the Report of the Departmental Committee on Proceedings before Examining Justices, which was presided over by Lord Tucker and reported on 10th July, 1958; and whether they have arrived at any decision on the recommendations contained in the Report.
§ Mr. BrookeAn undertaking was given during proceedings on the Criminal Justice Administration Act, 1962, that the Government would undertake an inquiry into the nature and purpose of committal proceedings. This is in progress, and until it has been completed no decision can be taken on the Departmental Committee's recommendations.
§ Mr. FootDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that the recommendations were arrived at unanimously by a very authoritative Committee, that they are a matter of great importance in the administration of justice and, when we are dealing with the administration of justice, how many years does the right hon. Gentleman need to make up his mind?
§ Mr. BrookeIt is not a question of my needing time to make up my mind. While the Government have undertaken an inquiry to decide whether there should be any fundamental change in the form of committal proceedings, it surely would be premature to reach a decision on the single question of what publicity should be allowed to these proceedings.