§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Solicitor-General how many people are(a) under investigation and (b) suspended from the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to professional misconduct; and if he will make a statement. [98874]
The Solicitor-GeneralNo professionally qualified member of the Crown Prosecution Service is currently suspended in relation to professional misconduct, although two are the subject of investigation by the professional bodies to which they belong.
It would not be appropriate to make any further statement while these investigations are continuing.
§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Solicitor-General what steps he is taking to monitor and improve the performance of the Crown Prosecution Service. [98875]
The Solicitor-GeneralPerformance management and monitoring in relation to the Crown Prosecution Service operates at three levels. First, my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General has a statutory duty to superintend the work of the Crown Prosecution Service. He and I meet the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and his senior staff frequently to discuss all aspects of the performance of the CPS; and we receive full briefing on current significant issues. Secondly, the DPP and his Chief Executive have developed structured arrangements for on-going appraisal of the 42 new Chief Crown Prosecutors (CCPs) and their Areas which are thorough but compatible with the decentralised structure of the CPS post-Glidewell. Thirdly, the CPS Inspectorate has embarked on a 2-year cycle to inspect all 42 CPS Areas and this will be accompanied by a programme of thematic reviews. The Government have placed before Parliament a Bill to strengthen the role of the Inspectorate by placing it on an independent statutory basis.