§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many persons who were remanded on bail failed to answer to their bail in each of the years 1964 to 1971 and up to the present time;
(2) how many remands in custody for reports were ordered by magistrates' courts in each of the years 1968 to 1971. respectively, and up to the present time in 1972;
(3) how many remands on bail while reports were awaited were ordered by magistrates' courts in each of the years 1968 to 1971, respectively, and up to the present time in 1972.
§ Mr. CarlisleI shall write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what 527W proposals the Government have for increasing the number of bail hostels in 1972 and 1973.
§ Mr. CarlisleI shall write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary, of State for the Home Department (1) in how many cases where remands in custody for medical or psychiatric reports were ordered in magistrates' courts since 14th May, 1971, have cases been expedited following notification by the governors of prisons or remand centres where such persons were detained that the report in question had been completed;
(2) in how many cases where remands in custody for medical or pyschiatric reports were ordered in magistrates' courts since 14th May, 1971, were defendants released on bail until the date when the proceedings were to be resumed, following notification by the governors of prisons or remand centres where such persons were detained that the report in question had been completed.
(3) in how many cases where remands in custody for medical or psychiatric reports were ordered in magistrates' courts since 14th May, 1971, courts took no action to expedite proceedings following notification by the governors of prisons or remand centres where such persons were detained that the report in question had been completed.
§ Mr. CarlisleI regret that the information is not available, but I shall write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of the circular which he issued to clerks of magistrates' courts on 14th May, 1971, to the effect that when a defendant had been remanded in custody for a medical or psychiatric report, the governor of the remand centre or prison should notify the court when the report is completed with a view to bringing forward the adjourned hearing or, alternatively, to consider the release of the defendant on bail until the date when the proceedings are to be resumed.
§ Mr. LaneThe results have been disappointing, mainly because of the diffi-528W culty which courts find in bringing together all the people concerned in a case on a date earlier than one which has already been fixed. The courts will be encouraged to adopt 14 days instead of 21 days as the normal period for remand where local probation resources are sufficient for reports to be prepared within the shorter period.