Prosecution Papers

HC Deb 19 February 1996 vol 272 cc38-9W

38. Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Attorney-General what are his Department's guidelines for the retention by police forces and the Crown Prosecution Service of prosecution papers after the conclusion of cases; and if he will make a statement. [14195]

The Solicitor-General

Area offices of the Crown Prosecution Service retain files relating to cases dealt with by the magistrates courts for a minimum of 12 months after the final court date. Those finalised in the Crown court are kept for a minimum of three years. Cases handled in CPS headquarters are retained for a minimum of five years. Where there is a conviction, all case files are retained until the expiry of the sentence, if it exceeds the usual retention period. Prosecution files considered worthy of permanent preservation are sent to the Public Record Office.