§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney-General whether he will give for the week commencing 17th October, 1971, the num- 94W ber of drink and driving charges commenced and withdrawn or not proceeded with from the Marlborough Street Court, and for what reasons in each instance; and if he will give similar details for the week commencing 17th October, 1970.
§ The Attorney-GeneralIn the week commencing 17th October, 1971, 13 such cases were commenced and none was withdrawn. In the week commencing 17th October, 1970, 11 were commenced and none was withdrawn.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney-General whether he will give for any convenient stated period of time the number of cases of drink and driving charges at courts nationally and at the Marlborough Street Court respectively where the person charged either failed to attend the court, or agreed to the case being heard in his or her absence, and the number of cases which were dropped after commencement on his advice and that of the Director of Public Prosecutions; and what is the actual or estimated costs in time and money of supplying this information.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him to a similar question on 25th October. I am satisfied that there would be considerable and unjustified expenditure involved in obtaining the figures for which the hon. Member asks.—[Vol. 823, c.261.]
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Attorney-General whether he will give details for the longest and most convenient stated period of time of the number of cases generally, and in the Marlborough Street Court, where drink and driving charges have taken place without the accused being present and with what results ; whether in such cases a legal representative was or was entitled to have been present to represent the accused; and whether he will state the costs involved and time taken to supply this information.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave him to a similar Question on 25th October. I am satisfied that the information asked for could not be obtained without considerable and unjustified expenditure.— [Vol. 823, c.261–62.]