§ Mr. Edward Gardner asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statistics are available on offences committed while on bail.
§ Mr. Whitelaw:A study has now been completed of offending by those first bailed by magistrates in the period May to October 1978, the first six fulls months of operation of the Bail Act 1976. This shows that an estimated 7 per cent. were identified as having committed a serious type of offence while on bail awaiting a further appearance at magistrates' courts and an estimated 9 per 414W cent. while on bail after committal for trial. The incidence of offending on bail varied according to a number of factors—the age of the person bailed, the charge in respect of which bail was granted, the time spent on bail and the area of the country. Further details of this study are given in Home Office Statistical Bulletin 22/81 published today, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.