§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the figures for the first six months of the current year for the number of persons proceeded against for scheduled offences in Northern Ireland; how many persons pleaded guilty to the principal offence; and how many persons in contested cases were found not guilty of the principal offence.
§ Mr. ScottIn the first six months of this year 338 persons were proceeded against in the Crown court for scheduled offences. Of these, 281 pleaded guilty to the principal offence and 57 not guilty. Of the latter 20 were acquitted.
§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) if he will give separately for magistrates' courts and crown courts for the first six months of the current year the number of cases involving non-scheduled offences in which pleas of not guilty were entered; in how many of these cases verdicts of not guilty were returned; and in how many of these cases trial was by jury;