HC Deb 24 January 1973 vol 849 cc170-1W
Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what criminal offences, other than those relating to motoring, chief constables have a discretion in respect of prosecutions.

Mr. Carlisle

Some statutes place restrictions on prosecutions and require, for example, the consent of the Attorney-General, or Director of Public Prosecutions, or provide that prosecutions may be brought only by the public body responsible for enforcing the legislation. Apart from such offences, and subject to the requirements of the Prosecution of Offences Regulations 1946, the police have discretion whether or not to prosecute in respect of all other criminal offences.

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