§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the action he will take following the High Court ruling in respect of the Crown Prosecution Service's decision not to prosecute officers involved in the death of Alton Manning in Blakenhurst private prison. [129095]
The Solicitor-GeneralJudgment in this case was handed down on 17 May 2000 when the CPS decision not to prosecute was quashed and the matter was referred back to the CPS to reconsider the decision. The avenue of appeal is to the House of Lords. No appeal is possible unless the Divisional Court certifies that its decision involves a point of law of general public importance and unless leave to appeal is given by either the Divisional Court or the House of Lords. The relevant legislation provides 14 days within which to make an application to the Divisional Court for such certification and leave. The CPS made such an application within the 14-day limit.