§ Lord Dholakiaasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in the light of the recent comments by Mr Justice Henriques, they believe that the timetable for a criminal trial should he determined by the employment commitments of the accused. [HL4177]
§ The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)The timetable for a criminal trial is set by the judge at the Plea and Directions Hearing. In fixing the trial date, the judge takes into account the venue for the hearing, the time estimate and submissions made by the parties. Such decisions are made by the judiciary in their own independent sphere and may not be called in question by the executive.
Copies of the statement made by Mr Justice Henriques, issued through the Lord Chancellor's Department Press Office, giving his reasons for setting a trial date of 6 June 2001, together with copies of the transcript of the hearing, have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.