§ Mr. Dellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the increase in 1972 in the average time spent in custody by untried criminal prisoners ; whether this trend has continued in 1973 ; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CarlisleYes. I do not yet have any statistics for 1973 but, as a result of the efforts made by my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor, the waiting time between committal for trial and trial in the Crown court has been reduced.