§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when his Department was informed of the collapse of Regina v. Paul Burrell; and if he will make a statement. [81716]
§ Hilary Benn[holding answer 19 November 2002]The Attorney General kept my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary informed of developments immediately prior to the collapse of the Paul Burrell trial. This was a matter of courtesy; the Home Secretary has no responsibility for the conduct of criminal trials, the prosecution of which are entirely the responsibility of the Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions.