HC Deb 02 February 1976 vol 904 c420W
Mr. Mikardo

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which magistrates' courts in Inner London still require defendants who are on bail to surrender and be locked in a detention room before their case is called on.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

Responsibility for the arrangements at a particular court rests with the magistrates but I understand that at five magistrates' courts in Inner London—Camberwell Green, Greenwich, Marlborough Street, South Western and West London—defendants surrendering to bail are asked to wait in the secure area of the court until their case is called. They are, however, at liberty to leave it on request. The Committee of Magistrates for Inner London accepts the desirability of leaving defendants at liberty until their case is called. Regrettably, in some courts there are practical difficulties. These are being further explored.

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