HC Deb 27 May 1966 vol 729 c174W
Mr. Gwilym Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to enable minor offenders who cannot appear in court to submit a written plea of not guilty, together with their reason for this plea.

Mr. Taverne

If an accused person wishes to dispute the facts alleged against him, I doubt whether a court could reach a satisfactory decision without hearing oral evidence.