§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Attorney-General what is the longest period of time of which the Director of Public Prosecutions has available knowledge between the receipt by his office of a complaint against a police officer and his decision as to whether or not a criminal prosecution should be brought.
§ The Attorney-GeneralIt is not possible to give a precise answer without disproportionate effort. In cases in which a decision cannot, by reason of the need either for further police inquiries or to await the outcome of other criminal proceedings—about 10 per cent. of the total724W —be reached within a few days of receipt of a complaint, the period which elapses before a decision is made can be 12 months. The Director of Public Prosecutions is always anxious to reach a decision as soon as it practicable.