§ 32. Mr. PatersonTo ask the Solicitor-General if he will make a statement on the measures he has taken to improve the efficiency of the Crown Prosecution Service. [127064]
The Solicitor-GeneralIn my answer to the hon. Member's question on 25 May 2000,Official Report, column 1107, I outlined the initiatives in place to improve efficiency in the Crown Prosecution Service. These include a major programme of IT modernisation, the development of joint/police/CPS Criminal Justice Units and Trial Units and the implementation of the provisions of the Crime and Disorder Act 1988. Good progress continues to be made on all these initiatives.
I am pleased to say that the first Criminal Justice Unit and the first Trials Unit were opened in Bristol on Monday 26 June 2000. police administrators and CPS lawyers and caseworkers are working together in the Criminal Justice Unit at New Bridewell Police Station, serving all the magistrates courts in Avon. Similar joint working is proceeding in the CPS premises, Froomsgate House, which is preparing cases for hearing at Bristol Crown Court.
These joint working arrangements will reduce duplication and delay, release additional resources for the police and for the CPS to focus on serious casework in the Crown Court.
§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Solicitor-General what the estimated legal costs are to the defence of the Employment Tribunal cases brought against the CPS by Mrs. Bamieh; and if he will make a statement [128119]
The Solicitor-GeneralThe estimated legal costs incurred by the CPS are £155,630.91 The legal costs covered six separate cases brought against the CPS by Mrs. Bamieh which contained a large number of allegations. Two separate Tribunal Hearings were involved and a remedies hearing. All outstanding cases between the CPS and Mrs. Bamieh were resolved when a settlement, the terms of which are confidential to the parties, was reached on 8 February 2000. Mrs. Bamieh continues to work for the CPS.