HC Deb 26 July 1967 vol 751 c799

Lords Amendment: No. 26, in page 18, line 23, at end insert new Clause "I": I. It is hereby declared for the avoidance of doubt that a magistrates' court before which a person is charged with an indictable offence begins to act as examining justices as soon as he appears or is brought before the court, except where before that time the court has determined under section 18 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1952 to try him summarily.

Mr. Taverne

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment.

This is a drafting Amendment to make it clear that where a man is arrested for an indictable offence and brought before a magistrates' court which remands him without hearing evidence about the offence, the proceedings are proceedings before examining justices. Some doubt was expressed about this at one stage and it has been felt desirable that the position should be made clear.

Question put and agreed to.