§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Attorney-General how many cases were heard by courts of quarter sessions in the County of Montgomery in the years 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970, respectively.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe number of cases heard by courts of quarter sessions in the County of Montgomery were as follows:
1967 9 1968 8 1969 10 1970 9
§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Attorney-General what is the total number of hours taken by all cases heard by quarter sessions in the counties of Cardigan, Merioneth and Montgomery, respectively, in each of the years 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe total number of hours taken by all cases heard by quarter sessions in the counties of Cardigan, Merioneth and Montgomery respectively in each of the years 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970 was as follows:
1967 1968 1969 1970 Cardigan 40 41 42 47 Merioneth 26 32 34 49 Montgomery 28 14 27 24
§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Attorney-General what estimate he has 111W made, in determining the location of courts of quarter sessions, of the average travelling time taken by defendants and witnesses attending courts of quarter sessions in England and Wales using public transport services.
§ The Attorney-GeneralMy noble Friend the Lord Chancellor, in determining his provisional choice of Crown Court locations, has broadly followed the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Assizes and Quarter Sessions, and has not therefore made any exact calculations of the travelling times likely to be taken by defendants and witnesses attending Crown Courts in England and Wales using public transport services.
Nevertheless, my noble Friend appreciates that, whilst his provisional selection of court locations may be broadly the most desirable under the present conditions, the right balance between convenience and the economic use of court resources must be maintained in future, and that it will be necessary to review the location of Crown Court centres regularly so as to ensure that they continue to match the needs of the public. My noble Friend will make his final determination in the light of any representations which may be made to him.