HC Deb 15 February 1999 vol 325 cc498-9W
26. Mr. Coaker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultations he has had with magistrates regarding implementation of the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 which relate to young offenders; and if he will make a statement. [69132]

Mr. Boateng

Consultation with magistrates, including through the Magistrates' Association, is an important element in taking forward implementation of the youth justice provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act. Through the White Paper "No More Excuses" and a range of draft guidance documents, the Government have sought views on the timing and process of implementation. Through the participation of the courts in 15 areas in pilots of new court orders for dealing with young offenders and of measures to reduce delay, magistrates are also playing a key role in helping to identify effective practice under the new provisions ahead of national implementation.

Mr. Maclean

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost to (i) the police service, (ii) the Court Service, (iii) the probation service and (iv) other agencies of implementing the provisions in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. [70611]

Mr. Straw

The Explanatory and Financial Memorandum to the Crime and Disorder Bill published on 17 November 1997 set out the estimated resource implications of the Act. The last composite estimates compiled by my Department were produced on 10 August 1998 and are given in the following table:

£000
1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02
Home Office 9,137 27,866 52,742 73,542
Probation Service 1,337 3,028 29,104 49,104
Other 7,800 24,838 23,638 24,438
Prison Service 2,100 5,070 5,060 5,160
Lord Chancellor's Department 3,674 20,731 31,895 33,218
Magistrate Courts -1,251 -81 7,390 6,871
Crown Court 1,338 5,074 7,578 8,082
Legal Aid 3,587 15,739 16,928 18,266
Crown Prosecution Service 753 2,519 3,219 2,319
Local Authorities 1,811 3,247 15,066 15,066
Total 17,475 59,434 107,983 129,306

The costs and savings of the Act can be accurately determined only after the completion of the pilots in respect of the youth justice provisions, drug treatment and testing orders, the Narey measures and the television links to courts.

The Act is intended to deal more effectively with offending behaviour and to reduce crime. This should in time produce savings across the criminal justice system and a wide range of public services.