§ Mr. AmosTo ask the Attorney-General what has been the cost to the Director of Public Prosecutions office of inquiries into alleged Nazi war criminals living in the United Kingdom so far; what is the estimated cost of further investigations during the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe investigation of alleged criminal offences, including those made justiciable by the War Crimes Act 1991, is a police function. The role of the Director of Public Prosecutions will be to provide advice and guidance on legal issues arising in the investigation. No expenditure has yet been incurred in this respect. The DPP has, however, incurred expenditure of £600 in obtaining consultancy advice in the planning of arrangements for handling war crimes cases. The additional running costs of the Crown Prosecutions service attributable to war crimes cases during the current financial year is estimated to be in the range of £300,000 to £500,000.