§ 31. Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Attorney-General what matters are taken into account by the Crown Prosecution Service when deciding whether to object to bail.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralThe Crown Prosecution Service takes into account the considerations and exceptions to bail set out in the Bail Act 1976 and any other relevant information available to it, including material from the police, the probation service and other sources.
§ Mr. AinsworthIs my hon. and learned Friend aware of the widespread public concern about the number of people who re-offend while out on bail? Is not that a dangerous loophole, which law-abiding people throughout Britain have a right to see closed as soon as possible?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralIt is, and we are closing it. The first measure that we have taken is already on the statute book. The Bail (Amendment) Act 1993, which is the responsibility of my hon. Friend the Member for Shoreham (Mr. Stephen), will give the prosecution the right of appeal against the decision of a magistrates court to grant bail. Also, two provisions in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill, if enacted, will remove the presumption of bail for defendants charged with indictable and either-way offences and refuse bail in cases of persons charged with homicide or rape, if they have previously been convicted of either offence.