HC Deb 12 December 1977 vol 941 cc17-9W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will identify the computers which are able to store audio visual materials; the last 10 years or other convenient period, what are the annual figures of black youths charged with (a) being suspicious persons, loitering with intent to commit an arrestable offence, and (b) assault on a pubic constable in the course of his duty, respectively; of the numbers so charged, what were the numbers convicted and acquitted; and if he will list, for a similar period, the number of such offences for which persons have been charged and convicted by the general population without reference to ethnic origin.

Mr. John

No information is collected centrally regarding the ethnic origin of persons proceeded against at court or cautioned by the police in England and Wales.

The available information as to all such offences is as follows:

and at what additional cost such facilities could be incorporated in existing computers.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

I understand that all computers are technically capable of storing audio visual material, though none can reproduce such material in its original form without the use of specially designed equipment. The cost of such equipment would depend on the particular purpose for which it was developed.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy on the installation of computer outlets in the courts in the Metropolitan Area, and how far the programme has advanced.

Mr. John

The Committee of Magistrates for Inner London, which is responsible for the administrative and accounting arrangements in the inner London magistrates' courts, proposes to introduce computerised accounting systems in all courts in the inner London area. I understand that computer programmes have been fully tested and the system is now undergoing acceptance trials.

I am informed that the magistrates' courts committees for the four outer London commission areas are considering mechanisation of the accounting arrangements in the courts for which they are responsible.

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