HC Deb 10 March 1975 vol 888 cc28-9
56. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Attorney-General whether he will make a statement on the strengthening of the Northern Ireland judiciaries.

The Attorney-General

My noble Friend is satisfied that there is at present no need to strengthen the judiciary in Northern Ireland, but the position will he kept under review and further appointments will be made should they prove to be necessary. The hon. Member may like to know that very considerable progress has been made in reducing delays before the trial of defendants in the Courts.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman not aware that there is concern at some very serious cases of delay between arrest and trial? Will he and his noble Friend keep this matter constantly under review? That said, may I ask him whether he thinks it appropriate that we should pay tribute to the courage and devotion to duty of the judiciary despite threats and actual assassination?

The Attorney-General

In reply to the last part of the hon. Gentleman's question, of course I entirely agree, and I am sure the whole House will agree, with what he said, particularly in the light of some of the tragic incidents which have taken place.

In reply to the first part of the question, we have kept this matter very much under review. We have been very concerned and, of course, we shall continue to keep the matter under review. As a result of doing so, in co-operation with the judiciary in Northern Ireland and the Lord Chief Justice in particular, and others, special measures were introduced. I can give the House some figures. In September 1974 the average length of time, in weeks, between committal and trial was 22 for scheduled offences and 10.7 for non-scheduled offences. By February, those figures had fallen to 7.5 and 9.8 respectively—a remarkable reduction.

Mr. Powell

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that despite the heavy arrears, there is considerable satisfaction at the rate of progress in reducing them and that, more than is generally recognised by the public, a high proportion of the serious offences of terrorism and violence are now resulting in sentences in the courts?

The Attorney-General

Yes, Sir, that is also true. I can give a further figure. At the beginning of September last year, 633 persons had been committed and were awaiting trial. At the beginning of this month, which is the last counting day, that figure had been reduced to 203.