§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the time spent in prison on remand by persons awaiting trial for minor offences.
§ Mr. MellorWe are continuing to encourage magistrates' courts to adopt measures, such as those suggested by the Home Office working group on magistrates' courts, which can contribute to reducing the time taken for cases to come to trial. In many courts, steps have already been taken to this end. We shall discuss with the Magistrates' Association, the Justices' Clerks' Society and other bodies concerned, in the light of their response to the report of the working group, ways in which the efficiency of the magistrates' courts can be further improved.