§ Mr. Bill MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact that plea before venue has had on elections for trial. [88927]
§ Mr. BoatengAs expected, section 49 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 ('plea before venue') had led to a decrease in the number of persons committed to the Crown Court for trial. This decrease has been apparent both in those cases which are directed there by the magistrates, and in those where the defendant elects to be tried in the Crown Court. The proportion of cases reaching the Crown Court by way of election, which fell steadily from 53 per cent. to 28 per cent. in the 10 years 1987–97, remained at 28 per cent. in 1998, the first full year in which plea before venue was in operation.