§ Mr. StrawTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what was the percentage of defendants(a) on bail and (b) in custody who were committed for trial at the Crown court in 1996 and waited (i) less than eight weeks and (ii) less than 16 weeks before being dealt with. [15725]
§ Mr. StreeterThe question concerns a matter which has been assigned to the Court Service under the terms of its framework document. I have therefore asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from M. D. Huebner to Mr. Jack Straw, dated 14 February 1997:
The Parliamentary Secretary has asked me to reply to your Question about the waiting times for defendants on bail and in custody committed for trial to the Crown Court in 1996.
Less than 8 weeks per cent. Less than 16 weeks per cent. Bail 56 80 Custody 59 78