HC Deb 07 May 1999 vol 330 cc484-5W
Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people charged with a serious sexual offence were released on bail in the year to 31 March(a) 1998 and (b) 1999. [82912]

Mr. Boateng

In 1997, 2,600 people charged with sexual offences were on bail when committed for trial at the Crown Court. Some sexual offences cover a broad spectrum of behaviour but committal to the Crown Court indicates that these were the more serious cases including, for example, the vast majority of rape cases. Information for 1998 will become available in the summer.