§ Mr. Berminghamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what percentage of contested cases were acquitted in the magistrates' courts in England and Wales in 1983, 1984 and 1985, respectively;
(2) what percentage of all cases were convicted in magistrates' courts in England and Wales in 1983, 1984 and 1985.
§ Mr. Mellor[pursuant to his reply, 19 May 1986, c. 17]: Reliable information on plea is not available. Information on defendants acquitted in magistrates' courts is published annually in "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, Supplementary Tables" (volume 1 in table 1.1(A)). The proportion of defendants who were convicted (regardless of plea) was 93 per cent. in 1983 and 91 per cent. in 1984. Corresponding information for 1985 is not yet available.