§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the fast tracking project in Merseyside. [111246]
The Solicitor-GeneralWhen I visited CPS Merseyside in September last year, I observed at first hand the efforts made by the CPS and other local agencies to reduce delay in the criminal justice system.
The fast-tracking project at Knowsley Magistrates Court has been a great success, reducing the time from arrest to disposal in all youth cases. As a result, fast-tracking arrangements based on the pilot were implemented throughout Merseyside on 28 June 1999.
In addition the CPS Area and its criminal justice partners on 1 November 1999 implemented the Narey measures to speed up justice in the magistrates courts for both youth and adult defendants. These and other changes that the criminal justice agencies are making should further reduce delay in the criminal justice system.
The local inter-agency Trials Issue Group discussed the impact of Narey at its meeting on 21 January 2000. It was too early to make a proper assessment while some 855W pre-Narey cases remain in the court system. A full evaluation of Narey will take place at the Group's next meeting in April.