§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to allow police authorities to charge against Crown court budgets for the use of police officer time in attending Crown courts; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanNo. The Government have no plans to introduce such charges.
§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to make more efficient use of police time in attending Crown courts; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanThe police research study group report "Court Attendance by Police Officers" identified a number of good practices which could lead to the more efficient use of officer time at court. These will be taken forward through the pre-trial issues steering group whose members include representatives from the Home Office, police, Crown Prosecution Service and the Lord Chancellor's Department.