§ 33. Mr. JackTo ask the Attorney-General what steps he plans to take to improve the way in which cases are presented to the CPS and Serious Fraud Office for prosecution. [80381]
The Solicitor-GeneralThe Serious Fraud Office is responsible both for the investigation and prosecution of cases involving serious or complex fraud. In almost every case it investigates in conjunction with a police force and there is a Memorandum of Understanding between the Director of the Serious Fraud Office and ACPO on how investigations are to be conducted. The Memorandum places an emphasis on planning and accountability and in every case SFO documentary control systems are used to ensure the efficient use of investigator and police time. The Crown Prosecution Service is working with the police on a number of initiatives to improve the way that cases are presented to the Crown Prosecution Service including collaboration on ways of implementing the Glidewell recommendations to introduce joint police/CPS Criminal Justice Units to facilitate the progress of cases through the magistrates' courts and the establishment of Trial Units to handle Crown Court casework.
610W
Year offence recorded Number of offences (a) Not commenced per cent. (b) Commenced but discontinued per cent. (c) Completed but no conviction for homicide per cent. (d) Conviction per cent. 1986 210 13 1 24 61 1987 193 14 1 21 64 1988 148 17 1 20 63 1989 177 16 — 23 61 1990 184 19 — 25 55 1991 184 16 1 27 56 1992 175 12 1 29 59 1993 160 16 — 23 62 1994 167 20 1 21 58 1995 167 24 2 19 54 1996 144 19 1 19 56 1997 180 29 1 12 42