§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Attorney-General what steps he is taking to reduce the time spent in prison establishments by 148W the 174 boys and six girls in custody on remand on 31st March 1974.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe time spent in custody by defendants committed for trial in the Crown court was slightly reduced in 1974 as compared with 1973, despite a 10 per cent. increase in the number of committals. No separate figures are available for juveniles, but the courts are conscious of the need to dispose quickly of cases in which juveniles are concerned and, as far as is practicable, priority is given to the hearing of such cases.