§ Mr. Leeasked the Attorney-General in how many cases during the past two years the Crown has taken over the conduct of private prosecutions; what was the total cost to the taxpayer of such prosecutions; if he will list all such cases; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralI regret that this information is not readily available, as the Director of Public Prosecutions234W does not maintain a separate register of private prosecutions. However, he informs me that the figure must be very small as he very rarely takes over private prosecutions. As my right hon. and learned Friend pointed out in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley, West (Dr. Phipps) on 14th July 1977—[Vol. 935, c. 259]—all prosecutions on indictment, whether private or not, are brought in the form of a written accusation of crime made at the suit of the Crown. This does not mean that the Crown takes over responsibility, financially or otherwise, for the conduct of private prosecutions. They remain the responsibility of the private prosecutor.