§ Mr. BlairTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of cases referred to the Crown prosecution service in(a) 1990, (b) 1991 and (c) July to June 1992 resulted in (i) prosecution and (ii) conviction, in each offence category.
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have been asked to reply.
Records are not maintained by the Crown prosecution service of outcomes in relation to offence categories. Percentage calculations of the number of cases prosecuted and the number resulting in a conviction cannot be given on a fully consistent basis for the periods requested. A revised system of data collection was introduced in April 1991 which makes comparison of figures before and after that date inappropriate. The figures in the tables relate to the number of defendants whose cases were handled in the 31 areas of the Crown prosecution service, but do not include specialist casework undertaken at the head-quarters of the service.
In table one, in respect of magistrates courts, column 1 shows the number of defendant cases received; column 2 shows the number which proceeded to a full hearing and disposal in the magistrates courts; and column 3 shows the number which resulted in conviction.
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Table one—Magistrates Courts Column 1 Received Column 2 Hearings Column 3 Convicted 1990 1,638,751 1,136,235 1,107,444 1991 1,575,021 1,078,006 1,051,362 July 1991 to June 1992 1,563,686 1,045,279 1,019,615 The number of cases received during a particular period does not equal the number finalised in that period, as incomplete cases are carried over from period to period. Cases which have not been included in the total proceeding to a full hearing and disposal in the magistrates courts include cases committed to the Crown court for trial, cases discontinued, cases resulting in a bind over, cases adjourned sine die, and cases in which the defendant could not be traced. Also not included in column 2 are cases submitted by the police for advice only and some non-criminal proceedings, such as forfeitures under section 3 of the Obscene Publications Act 1959.
In table two, in respect of Crown court cases, column 1 shows the number of cases received; column 2 shows the number of cases which proceeded to a full hearing; and column 3 shows the number which resulted in a conviction.
Table two Crown court Column 1 Received Column 2 Hearings Column 3 Convicted 1990 152,199 105,516 96,790 1991 153,652 106,026 97,114 July 1991 to June 1992 151,603 105,373 96,596 Cases not included in the total proceeding to a full hearing in the Crown court include cases in which no evidence was offered, cases in which all charges were left on file, cases resulting in a bind over, and cases in which the defendant could not be traced or was found unfit to plead. Also not included in column 2 are cases committed to the Crown court for sentence, and appeals.