§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases where bail has been granted to an accused person subject to the provision of a suitable surety, and where the police are required to make an inquiry regarding the surety, a record is made of the details of the surety, the officer carrying out the inquiry and the result in accordance with the procedure currently followed in the Metropolitan Police area.
§ Mr. SharplesI regret that this information is not readily available.
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§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the facilities available for legal advice on questions of bail and legal aid at prisons and remand centres; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CarlisleEvery prison service establishment has a special team of experienced prison officers to advise prisoners on matters relating to legal aid and, where necessary, to help them with their applications. Advice is also available on matters relating to bail. Every prisoner eligible to apply for legal aid or bail is advised on these matters during the morning following his arrival in the prison, and he is given every facility to find or consult a solicitor if he wishes to do so.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the efficiency of appeals by unrepresented persons from a refusal of bail as administered by the Official Solicitor's department; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have been asked to reply.
At present the arrangements for representation by the Official Solicitor enable these applications by persons who would otherwise be unrepresented to be dealt with speedily and effectively. After the Courts Act, 1971, comes into operation on 1st January next, a person committed in custody to the Crown Court will also be able to apply for bail to a Circuit Judge and legal aid will be available for this purpose.