HC Deb 12 December 1955 vol 547 cc147-8W
Sir E. Errington

75, 76 and 77. asked the Attorney-General (1) how many civil cases were awaiting trial at the Liverpool and Manchester assizes in November, 1952, 1953, and 1954; and how many are awaiting trial today;

(2) how many days have been occupied by Liverpool and Manchester assizes during 1952, 1953, 1954, and to date this year; and how many of these days have been occupied by civil, divorce, and criminal work, respectively;

(3) how many cases have been dealt with at Liverpool City Sessions, Manchester City Sessions, and Lancashire County Sessions, holden at Liverpool and Salford, respectively, during 1952, 1953, 1954, and to date this year.

The Attorney-General,

pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 5th December, 1955; Vol. 547, c. 16], gave the following information:

(1) The numbers are as follows:

1952 1953 1954 1955
Liverpool 384 520 361 102
Manchester 477 511 530 243

(2) The following table gives this information, except that separate figures are not available for civil and divorce work in 1953 and 1954. Where two or more courts are sitting on the same day each sitting is entered as a separate day:

1952 1953 1954 1955
1. Number of days occupied by Liverpool assizes 293 303 294 217
2. Number of days occupied by Manchester assizes 306 346 310 296*
3. Number of days occupied at Liverpool by:
(a) civil work 153 208 242 113
(b) divorce work 58 61
(c) criminal work 82 95 52 43
4. Number of days occupied at Manchester by:
(a) civil work 109 226 215 161
(b) divorce work 64 55
(c) criminal work 133 120 95 80
* Manchester assizes still in progress on 2nd December.

(3) The following table sets out the number of prisoners and appellants dealt with:

1952 1953 1954 1955 to date
Liverpool City Sessions 719 729 691 866
Manchester City Sessions 713 830 701 675
Lancashire County Sessions:
(a) Held at Liverpool 552 523 432 399
(b) Held at Salford 586 575 512 551