§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take urgent steps to reduce the periods spent by defendants on remand in custody.
§ Mr. BrittanThe Government are aware that some criminal cases, particularly in the South-East of England, are taking a long time to come to trial in the Crown court. The length of time before committal is mainly determined by how soon the prosecution and the defence are ready to proceed. We hope that current studies of waiting times in magistrates' 567W courts will suggest ways of avoiding unnecessary delays at that stage. To help reduce the backlog of cases and delays in the Crown court my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor has announced a number of steps including the opening of 71 new court rooms in the next three years and the appointment of more judges.