§ Mr. Christopher Priceasked the Attorney-General if he will now give details of the practice direction on the use of tape recorders in court announced at the Report stage of the Contempt of Court [Lords] Bill in the last Session of Parliament.
The Solicitor-GeneralA practice note on the unofficial use of tape-recorders in the Supreme Court (including the Crown Court) was issued on 19 November by the Lord Chief Justice, the Master of the Rolls, the President of the Family Division and the Vice-Chancellor. A copy has been placed in the Library, as also has a copy of the guidance issued by the Home Office to magistrates' courts and coroners' courts. Consultations are in progress with the circuit judges about the terms of a note for the county courts.