§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Attorney-General whether he has decided to accept the recommendation of the Royal Commission on criminal procedure that an independent Crown prosecution system be introduced; whether he has any plans to introduce legislation; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MayhewI have been asked to reply.
We are considering the Royal Commission's recommendations about prosecution arrangements in the light of the views that have since been expressed in the House and elsewhere. We have no further statement to make at present.
§ Mr. Arnoldasked the Attorney-General what estimate he has made of the cost of establishing an independent Crown prosecution system; and whether he accepts the finding of the Royal Commission on criminal procedure that any cost will be largely offset by the benefit to the police in the return to operational duty of police officers at present engaged in prosecution.
§ Mr. MayhewI have been asked to reply.
The cost of establishing such a system, and the consequences for the police, would depend on its structure and functions. The Royal Commission estimated the additional cost of its proposals at £4 million a year.