§ Lord WIGODERasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether any steps have yet been taken to draft the rules referred to in Section 48 of the Criminal Law Act 1977 ("power to make rules as to furnishing of information by prosecutor in criminal proceedings"); and if not, when it is anticipated that such steps will be taken.
§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICHThe Government made clear during the passage of the Criminal Law Bill that implementation of this provision would depend on economic circumstances. But consultations are taking place about possible schemes for a greater degree of advance disclosure of the prosecution case in trials by magistrates' courts.