§ Mr. Wheelerasked the Attorney-General if the Lord Chancellor will carry out a review of the costs and efficiency of the courts service as set up following the Beeching report.
The Solicitor-GeneralThe costs and efficiency of the various aspects of the court service are constantly under review. Current studies and inquiries include the procedure of the Chancery Division of the High Court, the implementation of the Cantley report on the procedure of the Queen's Bench Division in personal injuries actions, the implementation of certain aspects of the Pearson and Benson Commissions, delays in the Crown Court, and library services. The Beeching Commission was basically an inquiry into the arrangements for the administration of justice at assizes and quarter sessions. It is not considered that a single inquiry into the costs and efficiency of the court service would be a rewarding exercise, but any particular suggestions for further improvements in the service will be warmly welcomed.
§ Mr. Wheelerasked the Attorney-General if he will give the actual central Government and local authority costs in respect of: administrative costs, prosecution costs, defence costs, criminal legal aid, and accommodation costs, as these relate to the courts service in England and Wales for 1969–70 and 1979–80, on the same basis as these statistics were given in the Beeching report.
Strength 1 January 1979 Strength 1 January 1980 Reduction (a) Teachers 1,501 1,409 92 (6 per cent.) (b) Technical/Scientific/Medical Staff 240 232 8 (3 per cent.) (c) Other United Kingdom-based staff 581 562 19 (3 per cent.) As fewer children are attending service schools in Germany, the teacher-pupil ratio has remained constant.