§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce a system whereby prisoners held on remand in Wales and England should either have their case brought before the courts within 110 3W days, or that they be released on bail, in all cases other than those in which there could be either a real danger to the safety of the public, or of the subversion of the course of justice.
§ Mr. JackCustody time limits have applied to the whole of England and Wales since October 1991.
They are:
Magistrates court1 —56 days from first appearance to summary trial; —or 70 days to committal to Crown Court. Crown courts1 —112 days from committal to arraignment. 1 Responsibility for the courts lies with the Lord Chancellor's Department. If these limits are exceeded the defendant will normally be released on bail. However, courts are empowered to extend the time limits upon application where they are satisfied that there is a good and sufficient cause and the Crown has acted with all due expedition.