§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Attorney-General what are the reasons for the non-availability of trial transcripts from Chelmsford Crown Court which are required in connection with appeal hearings; what action he is taking to remedy this situation; and whether any other Crown Courts are similarly affected.
§ The Attorney-GeneralIt is not the case that transcripts of cases heard in the Crown Court at Chelmsford or elsewhere are not generally available for use in connection with appeals. However, owing to personal circumstances affecting one of the shorthand writers at Chelmsford, there has been some delay in obtaining transcripts of cases of which she took a record. My noble Friend is aware of this difficulty and will write to my hon. Friend.