§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many trials were delayed because of late arrival of prisoners from(a) police cells and (b) prisons in 2002–03, broken down by court in Lancashire. [137342]
§ Mr. LesliePerformance data was not collected centrally on late delivery of prisoners in 2002–03. However, I am able to provide data on late delivery between prisons and the Crown Court from July to September 2003.
Data for Lancashire Criminal Justice Area for this period reveals that an average of 8 trials per month in the Crown Court were delayed due to late delivery. This equates to an average of 5.6 per cent. of all cases listed for trial in any one month. The average delay was an hour and a half per case. The length of delay, however, varies significantly from 10 minutes to 3 and a half-hours.
Data by court average from July-September 2003 Lancaster Crown Court None Preston Crown Court 4.3 cases Burnley Crown Court 0.3 cases Carlisle Crown Court 3.7 cases Unfortunately, I am unable to provide like data for the Magistrates' Courts relating to the late delivery of prisoners as this is not collected.