HC Deb 25 October 2001 vol 373 c371W
39. Jeremy Corbyn

To ask the Solicitor-General what proportion of cases passed by the police to the CPS for prosecution are subsequently dropped. [6728]

The Solicitor-General

During the year ending June 2001, 13 per cent. of completed cases were discontinued by the CPS in magistrates courts, and 12.8 per cent. of completed cases were dropped in the Crown court. The magistrates court figures include those cases dropped at court before prosecution evidence was heard as well as those formally discontinued in advance of the hearing. The Crown court figures represent all cases dropped by the CPS before a jury was sworn, including those discontinued under section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 implemented in January 2001.