HC Deb 16 February 1976 vol 905 c519W
Mr. Molloy

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now introduce legislation to relieve from the payment of costs citizens who have been subject to police arrest but who have subsequently been found by the courts to be innocent.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

The courts already have power to award costs to an acquitted defendant although in summary cases the costs are awarded against the police and not out of central funds. The exercise of this power is a matter for the discretion of the court in each individual case.

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