HC Deb 18 July 1978 vol 954 cc134-5W
Mr. Lee

asked the Attorney-General if he will consult with the judiciary with a view to securing a court practice direction to end the practice whereby criminal charges dismissed by magistrates at committal proceedings may nevertheless be reinstated as counts in the subsequent indictments even where no additional evidence comes to light relevant to the charges concerned.

The Attorney-General

No. The practice has the authority of both statute law and common law, and legislation would be required to end or amend it.