§ Mr. Hoosonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals the Government have for reducing the present delays between committal for trial and trials in the higher courts in England and Wales.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganThe steps which can be taken to minimise these delays are under consideration by the Royal Commission on Assizes and Quarter Sessions, who are at an advanced stage of their inquiry.
§ Mr. Hoosonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average delay between committal to the Old Bailey for trial and the hearing of the trial at the present time; and whether the average delay differs for persons on bail from those who are in custody.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganThe latest available figures are for trials completed in October when the average was 93 days. For those defendants in custody the average time spent awaiting trial was 81 days and for those granted bail 105 days.