HC Deb 03 November 1994 vol 248 cc1291-2W
Mr. Allason

To ask the Attorney-General how many people are the subject of an immunity from prosecution; and if he will name them.

The Attorney-General

The term "immunities" is variously used to signify specific assurances given by prosecuting authorities that an offender will not be prosecuted for a particular offence or offences as well as the assurance which may be implied when a prosecuting authority concludes that the public interest is being served by using an individual who may have played some part in a crime as a witness rather than prosecuting that individual.

The term may also be used to describe assurances given to an individual that answers to questions given before a particular tribunal—for example, a public inquiry—will not be used in evidence against that person; albeit a prosecution may still be brought if evidence from other sources is available and sufficient to justify the institution of proceedings.

No central record of "immunities" is maintained.