§ 32. Mr. Wigleyasked the Attorney-General what recent steps he has taken to review the length of time prisoners are held on remand before being put on trial.
§ The Attorney-GeneralWaiting times between committal and trial in the Crown court are continually kept under review and various measures taken, such as the provision of additional judges and courtrooms, have helped to reduce average waiting times for those in custody from 12 weeks in 1979 to 9½ weeks in the third quarter of 1983. My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary continues to encourage measures to reduce waiting times in magistrates' courts and discussions are taking place with the relevant associations to that end.