§ Mr. Bestasked the Attorney-General, what are his latest figures for fraud prosecution under the fraud investigation group procedures; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe latest information available from the Director of Public Prosecutions relates to the first quarter of 1986. During that period 26 trials on indictment (involving 66 defendants) handled by the fraud divisions of his Department were completed. Pleas of guilty or convictions were obtained in 24 cases. The outcome of those cases when analysed in terms of defendants was as follows:
Number Pleaded guilty 35 Convicted 21 Acquitted 9 Nolle prosequi entered 1 Of the 26 cases, six were formerly designated as FIG cases, but FIG methods are increasing employed even when a case is not formally so designated. The total sum at risk exceeded £44 million. The average length of the trial in contested cases was 12 days.