HC Deb 19 June 1992 vol 209 cc700-1W
Mr. Terry Davis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the terms of reference for C3 division of the Home Office.

Mr. Jack

The principal functions of C3 division are:

  1. 1. To assist Ministers in discharging the Home Secretary's duties and powers under the Mental Health Act 1983 and the Criminal Procedure (Insanity) Acts 1964 and 1991 in relation to offenders detained in psychiatric hospitals whose leave, transfer or discharge is subject to Home Office consent. To co-ordinate the development of policies designed to improve the response of the criminal justice system to mentally disordered offenders.
  2. 2. To assist Ministers in discharging the Home Secretary's responsibilities in relation to the royal prerogative of mercy and references to the Court of Appeal under section 17 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1968 and the payment of compensation to persons wrongfully convicted; and to keep the law and practice relating to the investigation and correction of wrongful convictions under review.
  3. 3. To co-ordinate the Department's response to recent major miscarriage of justice cases, including the provision of evidence on these issues to the Royal Commission on criminal justice and the May inquiry and to advise on any further response which may be necessary.