Ryall Tony: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Ryall Tony: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:614;Page:10281] 
8.  
Hon TONY RYALL (National—Bay of Plenty) 
 to the  
Minister for Courts 
: How many outstanding criminal cases are there currently in the District Courts and how does this compare with the same time in 1999? 
Hon MARGARET WILSON (Associate Minister for Courts) 
 on behalf of the 
 Minister for Courts 
: The number of criminal cases before the District Court at September 2003 was 32359. The number of cases in the District Court on 30 September 1999 was 24578. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: Why is this Government so mismanaging the court system that almost 40 alleged criminals who were suspects charged with rape indecent assault sexual violation manufacture and supply of methamphetamine and serious fraud have walked free without trial in the last 4 years because of court delays under this Labour Government? 
Hon MARGARET WILSON 
: I do not know the specific facts in each of those cases but my understanding is that often cases are not heard in a timely fashion for a variety of reasons including that often counsel whether the defence or the prosecution is not prepared to proceed or that the evidence is not there. There are a variety of complex matters and I do believe that we should do better. 
Martin Gallagher 
: Has the Minister received any reports that would indicate why more criminal cases are before the District Court? 
Hon MARGARET WILSON 
: Yes. This Government has increased the number of New Zealand Police by nearly 10 percent over the past 3 years. Also the number of recorded apprehensions that have been resolved by way of prosecution has increased by over 10 percent during the same period. I believe that the fact that the number of cases before the court has increased demonstrates that this Government is serious about combating crime and is making New Zealand a safer place. 
Dail Jones 
: Does the Minister have any indication of the delays being caused by the number of legally aided criminal cases in which not guilty pleas are entered and the defendants subsequently are found guilty by the courts—a procedure that clearly shows there is an abuse of the legal aid system and the judicial system causing these lengthy delays? 
Hon MARGARET WILSON 
: I have no specific information relating to that point but if the member wishes to put it down as a written question I will endeavour to find it. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: In light of the record waiting lists and delays in our nation’s court systems what assurance can this Minister give the people of New Zealand that gang associates charged with the manufacture and the distribution of P will not walk free because of delays in the court system and the well-known delays in drug testing by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research? 
Hon MARGARET WILSON 
: My understanding is that the timeliness of the disposal of cases has remained relatively constant over the period concerned and that cases that are delayed are very much the exception and not the rule. 
Stephen Franks 
: How long ago did the Minister first learn that the courts were leaving criminals awaiting trial for more than a year; and if responsibility for those Third World justice standards does not rest with the Minister for Courts who will take responsibility to end the scandal of criminals escaping justice through delay? 
Hon MARGARET WILSON 
: I do not have accurate information as to when these cases relating to delay first arrived but I am quite happy to find out that specific information. I think this Government is taking responsibility for the delays. That is why we are having a review of the courts and that is why we are looking at the resources that are there. It is also why of course I have sought the support of the Opposition—which has denied it to me—to increase the number of judges. 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: I seek leave to table a schedule that shows the seriousness of the charges against those offenders who are being allowed to walk free because of delays in the court system. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.