Clause 26 - Appeals

Part of Criminal Justice and Police Bill – in a Public Bill Committee am 9:30 pm ar 27 Chwefror 2001.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr David Lock Mr David Lock Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 9:30, 27 Chwefror 2001

That is a legitimate point and I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for raising it. We do not anticipate a large number of appeals. At this stage we can only make a guesstimate, but we anticipate that appeals will not generate a vast amount of business for the courts. Lord Justice Auld is carrying out a review and the exact range of work to be undertaken in the Crown courts and other venues is a matter on which, to use a terrible pun, the jury is out. At this stage we cannot state confidently how much capacity will be necessary in the Crown courts, but I assure the hon. Gentleman that appeals are not expected to generate a large amount of business. However, the appropriate number of court days, judges and courtrooms required by the small amount of business that will be generated by the Bill will be factored into my Department's planning.