HC Deb 28 February 1994 vol 238 cc542-3W
Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Attorney-General what percentage of public appointments made by his Department in 1993 were of women; and if he will make a statement.

The Attorney-General

I make no appointments to public bodies.

Mr. Shersby

To ask the Attorney-General what instructions he has given to the Director of Public Prosecutions concerning the prosecution of persons alleged to have assaulted police officers; if he will instruct the Director to prosecute illegal immigrants charged with assault rather than relying on deportation; and if he will make a statement.

The Attorney-General

Where there is sufficient evidence the public interest normaly demands prosecution when the victim of an assault is a police officer.

The Crown Prosecution Service last week issued guidance to all Crown prosecutors emphasising that illegal immigrants should not be dealt with by means of deportation when the gravity of the offence demands prosecution.