HL Deb 17 July 1979 vol 401 cc1411-2WA
Lord GARDINER

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What would be the approximate cost of including in the next advisory circular from the Home Office to magistrates' courts in England and Wales the request to let the Home Office know to what extent the recommendation made in the Home Office circular on bail in 1975 that courts should maintain lists of doctors, including psychiatrists, who would supply medical reports to the courts has been implemented and the approximate cost of the replies.

The PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE, HOME OFFICE (Lord Belstead)

The cost of making the request in the manner suggested by the noble and learned Lord would be negligible. The full cost of the replies cannot be quantified. Furnishing and analysing information of this kind involved additional work by staff both in the courts and the Home Office. The Government do not at present believe that it would be reasonable to make the suggested inquiry, but if the noble and learned Lord has any particular case in mind, it will naturally be examined.