§ 24. Mr. Geraint DaviesTo ask the Solicitor-General what assessment he has made of the work of the Crown Prosecution Service in co-operating with police and judicial authorities to speed up the completion of court cases. [117755]
The Solicitor-GeneralSince my appointment as Solicitor-General, I have visited many Crown Prosecution Service offices throughout England and Wales. The people I speak to, and the reports I receive, confirm that the CPS continues to co-operate closely with the police and the courts in bringing a high proportion of cases to a speedy conclusion and, wherever possible, at the first hearing. These improvements have involved a significant change in the working practices for many CPS staff which, I am pleased to report, they have undertaken with enthusiasm and professionalism.
§ 25. Mr. FabricantTo ask the Solicitor-General what estimate he has made of the costs to the Crown Prosecution Service of the closure of local magistrates courts in the last year for which figures are available. [117757]
The Solicitor-GeneralThe Crown Prosecution Service does not gather information on any costs (or savings) incurred from the closure of local magistrates courts.
§ 26. Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Solicitor-General what progress he has made on the review of the code for crown prosecutors. [117759]
The Solicitor-GeneralThe review team has now been established, and met for the first time on 5 April. Consultation has begun: the team has written to a large number of organisations and individuals with an interest in the criminal justice system, asking for comments on the existing Code. Local consultation is being led by Chief Crown Prosecutors, who will report their findings to the review team. Information about the Code review has been put on the CPS website, together with an invitation to the general public to e-mail or write to the CPS with comments on the Code. The Director aims to publish the new Code in early September.
§ 27. Mr. PatersonTo ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the efficiency of the Crown Prosecution Service. [117760]
The Solicitor-GeneralIn the year ending December 1999, the CPS secured convictions in respect of 98.3 per cent. (980,729) of defendants in magistrates courts, whose case proceeded to a hearing. In the Crown court, convictions were secured in respect of a further 88.4 per cent. (67,352) of defendants.
266WThe CPS have worked closely with the police and courts to implement the Narey and Crime and Disorder Act provisions to bring offenders to court, in many cases the day after charge. In most of England and Wales, at least 60 per cent. of cases are now completed at the first hearing.
The CPS is also developing local plans to implement new criminal justice units with the police to handle cases in magistrates courts more efficiently and new trial units which will allow the CPS to shift the balance of its resources in favour of the most serious cases in the Crown court.