§ Mr. FraserTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the reasons committal proceedings involving alleged offences by police officers following miscarriages of justice are taken in Bow Street magistrates court when the alleged offences arise outside the Metropolitan area.
§ Mr. John PattenMagistrates courts have jurisdiction to deal with committal proceedings for indictable offences wherever they are alleged to have occurred. In some instances, the case will be heard in London, for the convenience of all the parties. In those circumstances committal proceedings will usually take place at Bow Street magistrates court.