§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney-General whether he is aware of the increasing number of cases in which persons are kept under arrest and in custody for periods between three months and five months before being brought to trial; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the trial is brought on earlier or the charged person should be allowed out on bail automatically after a period of two months in custody on remand.
The Attorney-GeneralThe Government are well aware that in some areas persons are awaiting trial in custody for an undue length of time, and they are doing everything in their power to remedy the position and to ensure that cases are brought to trial expeditiously. As to the hon. Member's suggestion that an accused person should be allowed bail automatically after a period of two months in custody on remand, I see no reason to alter the existing law.