HC Deb 19 March 1981 vol 1 c160W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of his latest statement made on 16 March concerning the relieving of pressure on the prison services, he will introduce permanent legislation to ensure that the thousands of persons now imprisoned on remand awaiting trial who have not been found guilty of any crime should be released on condition that they report to the police.

Mr. Mayhew

No. It would not be in the public interest to allow bail indiscriminately to people accused of crimes.