§ Mr. Douglas-Mannasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many defendants at the Crown Court were acquitted during the 12 months from 1st July 1973 and from 1st July 1974 to the latest available date; and what percentage of these was awarded costs.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonI regret that the information is not available in the form requested. In the calendar year 1973, 9,264 defendants were acquitted in the Crown Court and 72 or 0.77 per cent. were awarded their costs. Figures for 1974 are not yet available. As most defendants tried at the Crown Court have legal aid the absence of an award does not mean that the defendant necessarily paid for his own defence.