§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the maximum length of time that people are remanded in custody awaiting pre-trial psychiatric and medical reports; and whether the appointment of court-based psychiatrists who could produce such reports would improve the situation.
§ Mr. MellorSection 30 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 allows a court to adjourn a trial where it is of opinion that inquiry ought to be made into the accused's physical or mental condition before the method of dealing with him is determined. The adjournment may not be for more than three weeks at a time where the defendant is remanded in custody. Information about the total length of time defendants spend on remand in custody for these purposes is not collected centrally.
The majority of magistrates courts already either keep or have access to lists of doctors and psychiatrists prepared to do court work or have other sufficient local 217W arrangements for the preparation of reports in those cases where the court is satisfied that it is practicable for them to be prepared while the accused is on bail.