§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will list in the Official Report the number of prisoners on remand who have been waiting (i) more than six months, (ii) more than nine months and (iii) more than 12 months for their trial at the latest available date (a) in England and Wales and (b) at Cambridge Crown court, and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorThe latest readily available information for England and Wales is that given in the letter of 10 September 1985 to the hon. Member for St. Helens, South (Mr. Bermingham), a copy of which is in the Library. Corresponding figures for Cambridge Crown court are not available centrally. The prosecution of Offences Act 1985 established a scheme for applying time limits in criminal proceedings. Field trials are about to begin in four areas to test the practical implications and effects before we apply statutory limits.