§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he has now taken or intends taking to reduce the number of persons in custody on remand; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrittanThe number of persons in custody on remand in England and Wales depends on (a) the numbers from whom bail is withheld and (b) the length of time spent on remand in custody. As to (a) I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a question by my hon. Friend, the Member for Burton (Mr. Lawrence) on 21 June last year. As to (b) I would refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to a question by the hon. Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk) on 30 April. —[Vol. 968, c. 627–8; Vol. 983, c. 566–7].