CRIMINAL CASES (DELAYS)

HC Deb 13 March 1972 vol 833 cc37-8W

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that the present delays in dealing with criminal cases in London's courts is spreading to the provinces, and that a serious situation is now in being in London, due in part to lack of accommodation at the Crown Court, and availability of transcripts in the Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal; what action he now proposes to take to deal with this situation; and whether this will include the use of electronic aids, etc.

The Solicitor-General

My noble Friend the Lord Chancellor is fully aware of the delays in London, which are not

take to reduce the numbers of unemployed.

Mr. Dudley Smith

The following is the information:

reproduced in the provinces. He has already taken vigorous action to increase the number of courts, and to improve the availability of transcripts.