§ Baroness Mallalieuasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many appeals against conviction for which leave to appeal had been given by the Court of Appeal Criminal Division had on 3rd February 1994 been awaiting a hearing for more than six months,12 months and 18 months respectively and how many of those in each category involved appellants in custody.
The Lord Chancellor(Lord Mackay of Clashfern): The information is available only as at 10 February 1994. On that date a total of 501 appeals against conviction, for which leave to appeal had been granted by the Court of Appeal Criminal Division, were awaiting a hearing. Table 1 shows a breakdown of those appeals still in the course of preparation which were over six months,12 months and 18 months old respectively, with the corresponding numbers involving appellants in custody. Table 2 provides the same information for those cases which were ready for hearing.
Table 1 Court of Appeal criminal division Waiting times for appeals against conviction where leave to appeal had been granted but the case was still in the course of preparation on 10 February 1994 Appeals awaiting hearing1 Appeals involving appellants in custody Over 6 months 35 22 Over 12 months 12 5 Over 18 months 3 0 1Period taken from date leave to appeal was granted to 10 February 1994.
Table 2 Court of Appeal Criminal Division Waiting times for appeals against conviction where leave to appeal had been granted and which were ready far hearing on 10 February 1994 Appeals awaiting hearing1 Appeals involving appellants in custody Over 6 months 109 66 Over 12 months 18 12 Over 18 months 24 20 1Period taken from date leave to appeal was granted to 10 February 1994.