§ Mr. McFallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many defendants appeared before the High Court on criminal charges in each of the past three years; how many were(a) convicted and (b) acquitted; how many of those acquitted had pleaded guilty in the first instance; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 2 December 1992]: The particular information requested is not held centrally. The number of indictments which called in the High Court in each of the past three years, and to the end of October 1992, is as follows:
Number 1989 773 1990 795 1991 833 1992 786 The information requested on disposals is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
360W
§ Mr. McFallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many charges were(a) brought and (b) withdrawn by the Procurator Fiscal in each sheriffdom in each of the last three years in (i) the district court and (ii) the sheriff court; how many guilty pleas were tendered to the original charges; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 2 December 1992]: The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.