§ 35. Mr. Loveridgeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what delays are faced by persons charged with offences before they come to trial, and how many on remand are kept in prison and later found not guilty; and if he will introduce legislation to further extend the classification of cases to be tried by magistrates, in order to prevent this delay in the provision of justice.
§ Mr. CarlisleA recent return shows that the average time between committal for trial and trial in the Crown Court in England and Wales was about eight weeks where the accused was in custody and 12 weeks in other cases. About 5 per cent. of those received into custody in 1971 at some stage before their trial, either in the Crown Court or in a magistrates' court, were found not guilty or the case was not proceeded with. In consultation with other Ministers concerned, my right hon. Friend has under review the question whether a larger proportion of accused persons could be dealt with summarily, but he has not yet formed any view as to the need for legislation.