HC Deb 19 July 1971 vol 821 cc1031-2
30. Mr. Clinton Davis

asked the Attorney-General if he will introduce a Bill to bring the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions under his control and make it independent of the police, and to make the office responsible, save in the case of trivial and routine offences, for decisions to prosecute and for the conduct of prosecutions.

The Attorney-General (Sir Peter Rawlinson)

Under the Prosecution of Offences Acts, 1879 to 1908, and the Prosecution of Offences Regulations, 1946, the Director of Public Prosecutions is already subject to my directions ; he is independent of the police ; and under the Acts and Regulations he is responsible for instituting and conducting prosecutions in cases of importance and difficulty. I do not consider that there is at present any reason for changing the existing system.

Mr. Davis

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the considerable disquiet in the legal profession which has been expressed by the organisation Justice about police officers conducting fairly important prosecutions, and the reference to the need for a new branch of the Director of Public Prosecutions to be established, in accordance with the last annual report of Justice?

The Attorney-General

I note what the hon. Gentleman says. Important and difficult cases are conducted by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The Home Office is continually recommending to police authorities that they should employ prosecuting solicitors, but, in fact, the Director of Public Prosecutions at present has the duty, and undertakes it, of conducting difficult and important prosecutions.