§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what law enforcement agencies and prosecuting authorities designated with legislation there are within the responsibility of his Department; and what complaints procedure is available for each. [57105]
§ Mr. Lammy[holding answer 16 May 2002]There are no prosecuting authorities nor law enforcement agencies designated by law for which the Secretary of State for Health is responsible.
The Solicitor's Office, Department of Health, prosecutes cases investigated by the directorate of counter fraud services, and its National Health Service equivalent the NHS counter fraud services, the medicines control agency and the medical devices agency. The investigators and prosecutors all derive their powers to act for and on behalf of the Secretary of State who is granted general functions by means of statutory powers.
Consequently the investigators and prosecutors are not separately designated by law because they derive their powers from legislation and functions granted to the Secretary of State.