§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he has any plans to review the court administration procedures to encourage better use of both court time and police resources; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. John M. TaylorWe are taking forward a number of measures in both the Crown court and the magistrates courts aimed at better use of court and police resources. These include action to implement the recommendations of the inter-agency working group on pre-trial issues concerning the listing of cases and the communication of information between the courts and other agencies; the creation of a magistrates' courts inspectorate with a brief to promote best practice in this and other areas; and research into delays in the Crown court.