HC Deb 11 December 1958 vol 597 cc97-8W
57. Mr. K. Robinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the consistent unpunctuality of magistrates at the South- East London Juvenile Court, at both morning and afternoon sessions; and what steps he will take to mitigate the hardship to parents who may have to wait in congested surroundings, sometimes with babies in arms, up to five hours.

Mr. Renton

My right hon. Friend has no reason to think that the justices concerned have been unpunctual. They deal with some business in private before the work in open court begins. As regards the second part of the Question, it is impossible to avoid keeping witnesses and others waiting because it is seldom possible to forecast how long cases will take. My right hon. Friend is sure, however, that the courts and their staffs, upon whom the work has recently made heavier demands than usual, do the best they can to minimise inconvenience.