§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Attorney-General what is the current annual cost of running the Crown Prosecution Service; what was the cost five years ago; and if he will make a statement. [26047]
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe current running cost provision for the CPS in 1996–97 is £220 million. Running cost expenditure in 1992–93, five years ago, was £201 million in cash terms and £222 million in constant prices. After taking account of price changes, the CPS's running costs are lower in 1996–97 in real terms by approximately 1 per cent. than they were five years ago in 1992–93.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Attorney-General what new proposals he has to improve the effectiveness of prosecution procedures. [25660]
§ The Attorney-GeneralCurrent initiatives between the Crown Prosecution Service and the police include steps to improve the quality and timeliness of case preparation by reducing the volume of paperwork in police files and piloting the use of CPS lawyers giving on-the-spot advice in busy police stations.