§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to the reply to the hon. Member for Pembroke on 18 December, if he will arrange for statistics concerning the period between offence and trial to be collected in future.
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo. The Crown prosecution service collects statistics for its own management information and performance indicator purposes. It is not necessary for those purposes to collect statistics by reference to the date of offence.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Attorney-General what is the average period in(a) criminal cases and (b) civil cases between arrest or service of papers and hearing.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe latest figures recorded in the Home Office statistical bulletin for 29 November show that the average time taken between the date of charge or summons and the date of first hearing is 36 days.
Statistics relating to the period of time between arrest and hearing, in criminal cases, and service of papers and hearing, in civil cases, are not collected.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Attorney-General what is the longest period in recent years between arrest and trail; and if he will give details of the case.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe information which is sought is not readily available and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.