§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the maximum period of delay for persons awaiting trial at the Inner London Sessions and Central Criminal Court in the past three years; and what is the maximum period of custody for those awaiting trial.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have been asked to reply.
No records are available of the maximum period of delay for persons awaiting trial at either Inner London Sessions or the Central Criminal Court
Department Location Ministry of Defence (Aviation Supply) Part of Contracts Division … … Liverpool Inland Revenue London Accounts Offices … … Cardiff Gateshead Department of Trade and Industry Part of Accounts Branch, Finance and Economic Appraisal Division … … Billingham Part of Insolvency Headquarters … … Cardiff Northern Office of Inspectorate of Nuclear Installations … … Liverpool. Progress continues on the study announced in last October's White Paper on the Reorganisation of Central Government (Cmnd. 4506) to determine which blocks of Government work need to remain in London and which might most sensibly be located outside.
40Win the past three years. It is estimated, however, that at the present time, it would take 29 weeks and 16 weeks respectively for these courts to deal with the outstanding cases, assuming no new ones were received in the meantime.
§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking in Nottinghamshire and nationally to ensure speedier trials; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have been asked to reply.
My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor has already taken steps to ensure speedier trials throughout the country by providing more judges and court accommodation where these are needed, but he is not aware of any delays in Nottinghamshire. He hopes to bring all the provisions of the Courts Act, 1971, into force by 1st January, 1972. That Act provides for widespread reforms in the administration of justice which should lead to speedier trials.