§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will issue guidance designed to prevent the remanding in custody of women charged with offences which do not involve violence.
§ Baroness BlatchThe decision as to whether an accused person in criminal proceedings should be remanded in custody or released on bail is a matter for the court in the exercise of its judicial discretion, in accordance with the Bail Act 1976. The 1976 Act contains a general presumption in favour of bail, subject to certain exceptions.