§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (1) pursuant to the answer of 15 December, what is the expected cost of the research grant of the University of Manchester for the project relating to waiting time in magistrates courts;
(2) if, pursuant to the answer of 15 December, he will define the expression "alternative case management policies" as used in that answer;
424W(3) if, pursuant to the answer of 15 December, he will list the magistrates' courts in Greater Manchester to be studied in the case of the University of Manchester research study into waiting time in magistrates' courts.
§ Mr. MayhewThe conduct of the research is a matter for the University of Manchester. It will be for the university to select the courts to take part in the study, subject to the courts' own agreement. The study will examine and test alternative methods of dividing cases among courtrooms and determining the order in which and times at which cases are to be listed for hearing. The research grant will amount to £30,000 spread over 21 months.
§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, when the research study by the University of Manchester into waiting time in magistrates' courts is completed, he will place a copy of the report of the study in the Library.
§ Mr. MayhewThe form of any report that may be published will be a matter for the University of Manchester. When the results of the research are available to the Home Office, we shall be glad to consider how hon. Members can best be informed of them.