HC Deb 25 November 1975 vol 901 cc105-6W
Mr. Horam

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the report of the Committee on the Distribution of Criminal Business between the Crown court and magistrates' courts will be published; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

The report is being published today. I should like to express my thanks, and those of my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Chancellor, to Lord Justice James and the members of the Committee for their comprehensive study of this important subject.

We welcome the committee's recommendations for rationalising the distribution of business between the Crown court and magistrates' courts. Before reaching conclusions on the recommendations in detail the Lord Chancellor and I will wish to assess the reaction to them of those concerned with the administration of justice, and I am consulting a number of representative organisations for this purpose.