§ 48. Mr. Greenwayasked the Attorney-General in how many cases involving alleged offences of rape referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions in each of the last five years a decision was made to initiate a prosecution; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Solicitor-General (Sir Patrick Mayhew)Only certain narrow categories of rape offences are required to be reported to the Director of Public Prosecutions under the Prosecution of Offences Regulations 1978. In the five years 1980 to 1984 the Director himself prosecuted 77, 74, 90, 49 and 34 such persons respectively. He additionally advised chief officers of police in relation to other such offences, but statistics are not available as to the numbers in which prosecution was advised.
§ Mr. GreenwayDoes my hon. and learned Friend agree that the list of statistics has shown that there has been a serious increase in the incidence of rape of women of all ages, including young girls? Does he further agree that there should be more prosecutions for their own sake and as a means of reassuring the public? Will he tell the House what action he is taking to ensure the anonymity of alleged rape victims before charges are brought?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralThe statistics prove that more offences of rape are being reported, and the criminal statistics are compiled on that basis. However, the question whether there should be more prosecutions has to be a matter for the prosecutor and the prosecuting authorities, according to whether the Attorney-General's guidelines are fulfilled. In response to my hon. Friend's second point about anonymity, the reform of the law relating to anonymity is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, but I acknowledge that the 1976 Act—with which my hon. Friend will be familiar—does not fully represent the recommendations of the Heilbron committee.
§ Mr. RymanI am sure the Solicitor-General recognises that there is widespread concern about rape and murder involving young children. Will he confirm that he is entirely satisfied that the officers conducting inquiries into such cases have immediate access to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice specifically with regard to the conference taking place today to coordinate inquiries into many child murders throughout the country?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralThe hon. Gentleman has raised an extremely important and sensitive area of criminal law. I can best answer his point by saying that the 15 staff of the Director of Public Prosecutions are always available to prosecutors and police investigators who have problems that they wish to raise in that connection. It is important that that access should be maintained.