Local Government Finance (Hansard, 25 February 1992)

§ Mr. Nellist
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the poll tax cases which resulted in imprisonment, where evidence had been used of the kind ruled out by the High Court on 20 February.

§ Mr. John Patten
No.

§ Mr. Nellist
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under what authority a magistrate can adjourn a case in anticipation of Parliament amending a law; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. John Patten
Magistrates courts have general powers to adjourn in both criminal and civil proceedings under the Magistrates Courts Act 1980.

§ Mr. Nellist
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to magistrates and clerks of the court regarding the use of computer evidence in poll tax cases following the High Court decision of 20 February; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. John Patten
I do not think that any further guidance is necessary following this case.