§ Mr. StrawTo ask the Attorney-General how many solicitors employed by the Crown Prosecution Service since 1987 have been the subject of disciplinary proceedings by the Law Society(a) before their employment with the Crown Prosecution Service commenced and (b) during their employment with the Crown Prosecution Service. [25994]
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe information sought by the hon. Member could be definitively obtained only by a trawl of the personal files relating to all solicitors currently employed, as well as those previously employed. That exercise would involve disproportionate costs.
A review by the Department, with the assistance of the Law Society had identified (a) three solicitors who were the subject of disciplinary proceedings before their employment commenced with the Crown Prosecution Service, whom one remains in the employment of the Crown Prosecution Service, with the agreement of the Law Society. The other two ceased to be employed in 1989. The answer to (b) is that two solicitors have been the subject of disciplinary proceedings during their employment with the Crown Prosecution Service, but neither has had their practising certificate withdrawn. Both are still employed by the Crown Prosecution Service.