HC Deb 10 July 1997 vol 297 cc536-7W
Mr. Malins

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what percentage of the cases heard in the Crown Court in 1996 were heard there at the defendants' request. [7486]

Mr. Hoon

The 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 Michael Huebner to Mr. Humfrey Malins, dated 10 July 1997: The Parliamentary Secretary of the Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to your Question about the percentage of cases heard in the Crown Court at the defendant's request. The information requested is not held centrally and can only be obtained at a disproportionate cost.

Mr. Malins

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of all Crown Court cases in 1996 resulted in a non-custodial disposal. [7468]

Mr. Hoon

The 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 Michael Huebner to Mr. Humfrey Malins, dated 10 July 1997: The Parliamentary Secretary of the Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to your Question about the proportion of cases in 1996 that resulted in a non-custodial disposal. The information requested is not available as each case can involve several defendants and the sentences imposed on them may vary. However, 39 per cent. of defendants who pleaded, or were found guilty, in the Crown Court in 1996 received a non-custodial sentence, a total of 29,160 defendants. In addition, 49 per cent. of the defendants who were referred to the Crown Court for sentencing only received a non-custodial sentence, a total of 6,917 defendants.

Mr. Malins

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average cost per day to the Exchequer of each Crown Court. [7469]

Mr. Hoon

The 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 Michael Huebner to Mr. Humfrey Malins, dated 10 July 1997: The Parliamentary Secretary of the Lord Chancellor's Department has asked me to reply to your Question about the average cost per day of each Crown Court. Information about the cost of each Crown Court Centre is not held centrally and can only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. However, I can report that the average cost per day of a court room in use in the Crown Court is £7,800. This includes all costs to the Exchequer, such as the cost of the judiciary, juries, staff, accommodation, Legal Aid, the Prison Service, the Probation Service and prosecution and police costs.