§ Mr. Marshall-AndrewsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes) of 14 December 1999,Official Report, column 139W, on jury trial, if the sum of £66 million annually takes account of the cost of alternative sentences; and if he will provide a breakdown of the cost of £0.5 million for interlocutory appeals including the legal and administrative costs per appeal. [112410]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe estimated resource savings take account of alternative sentences which the magistrates' courts might impose. It has been assumed, for the purpose of assessing the financial implications of 447W appeals, that 25 per cent. of defendants who would have elected Crown Court trial will appeal to the Crown Court against the magistrates' decision to try the case, and that 17.5 per cent. of appeals would proceed to an oral hearing. A paper-based appeal would cost £25 in court resources, £30 in Legal Aid and £35 in prosecution costs. An oral hearing would cost an additional £77 in court resources, £45 in Legal Aid and £60 in prosecution costs.