HC Deb 30 June 1976 vol 914 c389
31. Mr. Canavan

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is satisfied with the rôle of Crown counsel in dealing with complaints against the police.

The Lord Advocate (Mr. Ronald King Murray)

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Canavan

In view of the letter that I have sent to my right hon. and learned Friend, concerning the case of one of my constituents who filed a complaint about alleged police assault, does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that a person complaining in a case of this nature should have a right to know why charges are not being proceeded with? In the case of my constituent, will he try to ensure that a satisfactory explanation is given to him so that justice is not only done but seen to be done?

The Lord Advocate

It is not the practice of my Department to give reasons why it has decided not to prosecute in a particular case. If my hon. Friend considered the matter he would realise that in many cases the reason would be non-availability of evidence, or the quality of such evidence as was available, and it would hardly be in the public interest to have a public discussion of such matters.