§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he has not yet brought the Bail Act 1977 into effect; and when he proposes to do so.
§ Mr. JohnThe Bail Act cannot be brought into force until rules of court have been made prescribing the procedure to be followed in the High Court,352W the Crown Court and magistrates' courts. Work on these rules is well advanced, and the respective rules committees are about to be consulted. Some time must also be allowed for the courts to make the necessary preparations. The Act is likely to be brought into force early next year, but, until the rules committees' views are known, it is not possible to give a firm date.