HC Deb 20 December 1994 vol 251 c1008W
Mr. Boateng

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of adults do not currently have their first appearance before a magistrates court within five weeks of the start of proceedings against them; and what percentage of children and young people do not have their first appearance before a youth court within three weeks of the start of proceedings against them.

Mr. John Taylor

The Lord Chancellor's Department carries out surveys of time intervals between stages in proceedings completed in magistrates courts in three sample weeks, in February, June and October of each year. The results of the October survey are not yet available. The results of the February and June surveys are as follows:

Percentage of defendants who did not have their first appearance before a magistrates' court in:
21 days (Juveniles only) 35 days (Adults only)
February 19941 64.68 20.86
June 19942 68.90 44.20
1 Surveys covers indictable and triable either way cases only.
2 Survey covers indictable, triable either way and summary cases.