HC Deb 30 March 1988 vol 130 c492W
Mr. Lawrence

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police areas in England and Wales operate statutory time limits for the presentation of criminal trials; whether he has plans to introduce time limits in all areas of England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

From 1 April, statutory custody time limits in criminal proceedings will operate in 14 police areas covering the counties of Avon, Cheshire, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Greater Manchester, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent, Somerset, West Midlands and Wiltshire, and the whole of Wales. We hope to extend time limits throughout England by 1990.