§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the law on disclosure; and if he will make a statement. [12645]
§ Mr. Michael[holding answer 6 November 1997]: The new disclosure provisions introduced by the Criminal Procedure and Investigation Act 1996 came into effect on 1 April 1997 but only apply to criminal proceedings arising from investigations begun on or after that date. Therefore, cases subject to the new procedures have only been coming before the courts in the last three or four months. I understand that the Crown Prosecution Service is in the process of undertaking its own evaluation of the new provisions, which it expects to complete early next year. In the light of that exercise, I will assess the need for a further evaluation of the provisions.