§ Mr. Oakesasked the Attorney-General what progress is being made in using tape recordings of court proceedings in order to improve the accuracy of such reports and to reduce the cost of transcripts and the burden of work on the shorthand writers.
§ The Attorney-GeneralMechanical recording equipment is already installed in the six new courts in the Royal Courts of Justice and is being installed in the twelve courts in the new building now in process of erection there, and in the six courts of the Divorce Wing. Arrangements are being made for the existing system to be extended to the eight courts of the Queen's Bench Division and for equipment to be installed in certain County Courts for use in undefended divorce proceedings. Transcripts are being obtained of matrimonial proceedings recorded on the equipment already installed and further transcribers are being invited to undertake transcription work. Mechanical recording equipment is also being installed at the Central Criminal Court.