§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how long it took from arrest to sentencing to process persistent young offenders in Shropshire(a) on 1 May 1997 and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [154663]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeWe have information on performance for West Mercia. In 1997 it took an average 155 days from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders in the police force area of West Mercia compared with a national average of 141 days. The latest available West Mercia average is an estimated 114 days for July to September 2000 compared with a national average of 95 days.