§ Mr. KnowlesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the circumstances with regard to the ending of the trial of electronic monitoring in Nottingham; and if there are plans for the introduction of monitoring on a trial basis in other areas.
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§ Mr. John PattenThe Nottingham electronic monitoring trial contract was let to run from 14 August 1989 to 29 January 1990. The trial will be ending, as originally planned, on that date. Existing participants will continue to be monitored after that date. The results of the trial will be carefully evaluated, but it is already clear that the technology can be put to practical use and that the procedures for fitting the equipment and monitoring defendants are practicable. It would now be desirable to test the use of electronic monitoring on a trial basis in a larger area in which substantial numbers are likely to be eligible for its application as a condition of bail. Meanwhile other trials which started on two different later dates in the north Tyneside and Tower Bridge areas are proceeding as planned.