§ Mr. GoodladTo ask the Attorney-General what has been the change in waiting times from committal for trial until start of hearings in the northern circuit since 1979.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe table shows the change in waiting times, since 1979, both for those committed in custody and those committed on bail.
Average Waiting Time in weeks from date of committal to start of hearing—Northern Circuit Committed in custody Committed on bail Total Committals 1979 11.3 17.5 16.2 1980 10.4 16.7 15.6 1981 9.6 15.1 13.9 1982 12.1 15.2 14.5 1983 8.9 12.6 11.8 1984 8.3 12.1 11.2 1985 8.7 11.4 10.7 1986 8.4 10.8 10.2 1987 7.3 10.0 9.2 1988 7.5 10.6 9.7