§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement concerning the role of the Law Officers in prosecutions which are conducted by Government Departments and agencies whose prosecuting responsibilities are not subject to their formal superintendence. [99522]
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The solicitor-GeneralThe Government have decided that, with effect from the date of this answer, the Law Officers should have a more formal role in respect of prosecutions by Government Departments and agencies that are not subject to their superintendence. In future, the Law officers will examine cases raising important matters of particular difficulty. They will have regular meetings with senior representatives in each Department or agency to discuss such cases, and prosecution issues more generally; and will receive regular written information on casework of particular concern.
The focus of the new arrangements will be on prosecution cases rather than the allocation of resources or determination of prosecution priorities, which must be a matter for each Department and agency. In cases in which the Law Officers do express a review, the final decision will remain with the responsible Minister or office-holder, but the Law Officers' views will be taken fully into account.
I should like to make plain that this initiative is prompted by a desire to strengthen the current arrangements, it is not a response to the handling of any particular case. The new arrangements are intended to enhance decision making within the prosecution process, and should lead to worthwhile improvements in the quality of such decision making. No legislative measures will be necessary to put the arrangements into effect.