§ Mr. S. C. Silkinasked the Attorney-General what is his policy on the duty of counsel for the prosecution to ensure that the victim of an alleged assault by the defendant has been fully consulted before counsel consents to offer no evidence upon the defendant agreeing to be bound over to keep the peace.
§ The Attorney-General:Subject to the views of his instructing solicitor, and in certain circumstances those of the court, responsibility for the prosecution rests with counsel. Nevertheless, in such a case as is referred to by the right hon. and learned Member, the victim should, in my view, normally be consulted first in order to ascertain his view as to the proposed course of action.