§ Mr. Cordleasked the Attorney-General what are the functions of Treasury Counsel at the Central Criminal Court; how many there are; whether they are salaried or on retainer; and whether he will consider expanding the system of 152W Treasury Counsel to other Crown courts throughout the country.
§ The Attorney-GeneralStanding counsel appointed by me are instructed by the Director of Public Prosecutions to appear for the Crown in prosecutions at the Central Criminal Court. There are eight senior and three junior standing counsel at that court. There are also junior standing counsel at the Courts of London Sessions and Middlesex Sessions. In addition, for individual prosecutions, the director instructs other counsel nominated by me both at the Central Criminal Court and at other Crown courts. All counsel are paid brief fees. I do not consider that it would be at present appropriate to appoint standing counsel to other Crown courts.