Defendants' Pleas (Pre-trial Conversations)

HC Deb 03 February 1975 vol 885 cc372-3W

58. Mr. George Cunningham

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in the light of the Court of Appeal decision in the case of Regina v. Inns, the Lord Chancellor will consider the need for rules applying to pre-trial conversations between judges and counsel about the pleas of defendants.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

My right hon. Friend is not persuaded that this is a matter for formal rules. The decision of the Court of Appeal to which my hon. Friend refers shows that the court has power to act if it appears that there was not a proper plea.