§ Mr. Mark RobinsonTo ask the Attorney-General is he will make a statement on the recommendation contained in Sir Richard Scott's report that there should be a formalised system of supervision of export control prosecution by the Attorney-General. [33364]
§ The Attorney-GeneralAs indicated in my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade in the debate on Sir Richard Scott's report on 26 February,Official Report, column 597, the Government have accepted that in future the role of the Attorney-General should include the exercise of increased supervision of Customs and Excise prosecutions in relation to export control matters. The arrangements to give effect to this increased supervision have now been settled and are contained in a paper which I have placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
I shall be answerable to the House for actions taken by Customs and Excise in relation to individual prosecutions relating to defence exports and to sanctions infringements, other than those involving strict liability—that is not requiring evidence of deliberate evasion. Treasury Ministers will continue to be answerable for general enforcement and prosecution policy and will also remain responsible for the investigation of such offences.