HC Deb 26 March 1964 vol 692 c146W
Mr. Doughty

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what matters are at present being considered by the Criminal Law Revision Committee.

Mr. Brooke

The Committee is engaged on a comprehensive review of the law of larceny, and is also considering two other questions relating to perjury and the attendance of witnesses in criminal trials which I referred to it in December last.

I have just received the Committee's report on the question of the continuance of a criminal trial following the discharge of a juror, and this will be published shortly.

I have decided that the time has come when the Committee could most usefully consider the important question of the classification of crimes into felonies and misdemeanours, and I have now accordingly referred to the Committee the following question: whether the present division of indictable offences into felonies and misdemeanours should be retained, and, if not, what revision of the law should be made in consequence of its abolition.

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