§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases in each category of offence were referred by the RUC to the DPP in 1998 and 1999; and in how many and in what percentage of cases the DPP(a) directed no prosecutions and (b) brought a successful prosecution. [110659]
The Solicitor-GeneralI have been asked to reply as the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland and his Department are superintended by the Attorney-General for Northern Ireland.
The information sought is not available in the form requested. What information is available is set out in tabular form.
The figures given in the table for the number of persons reported include persons referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland by investigative agencies other than the RUC.
The figures relate to the number of persons proceeded against rather than the number of offences.
The number of cases dealt with in a year does not correlate directly with the number of cases reported and directed in that year as a proportion of the results will relate to persons reported and directed in previous years. Further, the figures for 1999 are incomplete as additional returns have to be collated.
1998 1999 Number of persons reported to DPP(NI) 10,950 10,170 Directions issued Summary prosecution 6,271 5,362 Prosecution on indictment 1,043 1,368 Number prosecution 3,614 3,520 Outcome of prosecutions Summary: Convictions 4,977 4,164 Acquittals 261 214 Conviction rate (%) 95 95 Indictment: Convictions 1,141 943 Acquittals 86 57 Conviction rate (%) 93 94