§ 31. Mr. RobathanTo ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the length of time young offenders have to wait between being charged and trial. [93422]
The Solicitor-GeneralFor young offenders' cases where not guilty pleas are entered, the average time from charge to start of the trial was 123 days in February 1999. For all cases in the youth court, the average period from charge to verdict was 67 days in February 1999, compared with 71 days in June 1998 and 81 days in June 1997. Information on the Crown court is not available as case progress information there does not distinguish adult from youth cases.
The Government are committed to reducing unnecessary delay in the youth justice system still further. Chief Crown Prosecutors throughout England and Wales are working closely with other agencies locally to ensure this is achieved.