§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people charged with a serious sexual offence were released on bail in the year to 31 March(a) 1998 and (b) 1999. [82912]
§ Mr. BoatengIn 1997, 2,600 people charged with sexual offences were on bail when committed for trial at the Crown Court. Some sexual offences cover a broad spectrum of behaviour but committal to the Crown Court 485W indicates that these were the more serious cases including, for example, the vast majority of rape cases. Information for 1998 will become available in the summer.