§ Mr. Nichollsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what decision the Government have reached following consultation on "An Independent Prosecution Service for England and Wales", Cmnd. 9074.
§ Mr. BrittanCmnd. 9074 sets out proposals for the establishment in England and Wales of a prosecution service independent of the police. Having published those proposals with a view to consultation and discussion in advance of legislation, the Government have reviewed them in the light of the comments received. We have concluded that the response to consultation has produced no new arguments which would justify altering the preference which the White Paper expressed for an integrated national service headed by the Director of Public Prosecutions under the superintendence of the Attorney-General. Accordingly we shall prepare, and present to Parliament, legislation on this basis. Within the framework of a national service, it is the intention of my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General that individual cases should, so far as possible, be handled at local level, in accordance with the Government's general policy of maximum delegation for management and decision-taking.
Planning for the introduction of the new service will continue to proceed in consultation with all those who will be involved in the transition to the new system, and with due regard to the interests of those now engaged in work which will come within the ambit of the independent prosecution service.