§ Mr. BayleyTo ask the Attorney-General what proportion of prosecution witnesses in July 1993 had to wait more than two hours before being called to give evidence.
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo figures are available for July 1993. A census of six CPS areas during the last two weeks of March 1993 showed that 42 per cent. of witnesses waited less than two hours and 58 per cent. had to wait more than two hours.
A further pilot study in four Crown court centres between 1 September 1993 and 30 November 1993 showed that 48.5 per cent. of witnesses waited less than two hours and 51.5 per cent. more than two hours. A nation-wide monitoring survey will commence on 1 April 1994.
The samples to date have been analysed to identify the principal reasons for extended waiting time for witnesses. The objective is to use such information in co-operation with other agencies to bring about reduced waiting times in future.