§ 3.1 p.m.
§ LORD SWAYTHLINGMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will introduce legislation which would allow a magistrates' court to commit a defendant to quarter sessions for sentence on all the charges on which he appears before the magistrates, where there is to be a committal on one or more of such charges, so that quarter sessions may deal with all the offences with which he is charged, whether they be indictable or summary.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD STONHAM)My Lords, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary is considering this suggestion, together with others that have been put to him relating to the procedure of magistrates' courts.
§ LORD SWAYTHLINGMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his 59 Answer, may I ask him whether he will bear in mind that under present arrangements the summary offence has to be adjourned sine die while the case goes to quarter sessions, and therefore it hangs over the head of the defendant for a considerable time? Would the noble Lord not agree that it would be much better for all concerned—defendant, prosecution and the bench—if everything could be settled at one time and dealt with at quarter sessions?
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, we are very much aware of the point which has been made by the noble Lord. Clearly there is something to be said for enabling quarter sessions to dispose of all charges, both summary and indictable, in the manner the noble Lord has suggested. But there are other considerations, including the fact that a new procedure would be of limited utility, because it could not apply to a series of offences dealt with by different courts at different times. My right honourable friend feels it advisable to consult the court interest in this matter before coming to any conclusion.