HC Deb 02 July 1975 vol 894 cc425-6W
Mr. Watkinson

asked the Attorney-General how many of the judges appointed in 1975, 1974, 1973 and 1972 attended courses or conferences on sentencing before sitting on the bench.

The Attorney-General

The number of judges appointed in the years 1972 to 1975 who attended courses or conferences on sentencing before sitting on the Bench were:

1972 19
1973 13
1974 18
1975 (to 25.6.75) 7

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Attorney-General how many conferences and courses which provide for the study of sentencing problems have been held in 1975, 1974, 1973 and 1972.

The Attorney-General

Figures are available only for those conferences and courses which were arranged by the Lord Chancellor's Department. The number of such conferences and courses provided for the study of sentencing problems in the years 1972 to 1975 were:

1972 2
1973 3
1974 3
1975 3 (including two to be held later in the year)

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Attorney-General how many judges and recorders attended the courses which provide for the study of sentencing problems in 1975, 1974, 1973 and 1972.

The Attorney-General

The number of judges and recorders who attended the courses which provide for the study of sentencing problems in the years 1972 to 1975 were:

Judges Recorders
1972 25 59
1973 24 31
1974 43 35
1975 (to 25th June 1975) 6 83

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Attorney-General what is the duration of the courses which provide for the studies of sentencing problems; and what subjects are discussed.

The Attorney-General

One course of five days' duration is held once each year; otherwise courses and conferences are of one days' duration.

The subjects discussed are: custodial treatment of young offenders; custodial treatment of adult offenders; length of sentences; reform of the offender; medical and psychiatric treatment in prison; supply of information to the courts; release arrangements for young and adult offenders; drug and alcohol addition; the use of probation; community service and day training centres; the trial, including summing up; consideration of hypothetical cases.

During the five-day course visits are made to prisons, borstals and probation establishments.

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Attorney-General where the courses which provide for the study of sentencing problems are held; and whether such courses are provided on a regional basis.

The Attorney-General

One-day conferences are usually held in the Lord Chief Justice's Court at the Royal Courts of Justice, London, but occasionally are held in other parts of the country. Five-day residential courses are held in London, usually at the Froebel Institute, Roehampton. Conferences on a regional basis are arranged by the presiding judges of circuits, but information on these is not available.

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Attorney-General how many of the recorders appointed in 1975, 1974, 1973 and 1972 attended courses or conferences on sentencing before sitting on the bench.

The Attorney-General

The number of recorders appointed in the years 1972 to 1975 who attended courses or conferences on sentencing before sitting on the Bench were:

1972 89
1973 none
1974 32
1975 (to 25th June 1975) none

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