§ 30. Mr. Andrew MacKayTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has any plans to review the procedures in his Department for handling fraud cases; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RedwoodAs my hon. Friend will be aware, the handling of fraud cases imposes responsibility on a number of Ministers. My right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General is responsible for the Serious Fraud Office and Crown prosecution service, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is responsible for matters of criminal procedure and my noble and learned Friend the 555W Lord Chancellor has responsibility for matters relating to the judiciary. The prosecutions for fraud handled by my Department are cases which are not large or complex enough to have been accepted for handling by the Serious Fraud Office or the fraud investigation group of the Crown prosecution service.
My hon. Friend will be aware of the work being carried out by the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice in relation to the handling of fraud cases. The Government are keen to see rapid and successful pursuit and prosecution of fraud.