§ Ms DrownTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to allow the Crown Prosecution Service to attend hearings of appeals against sentences to represent the victim's interests. [73414]
§ The Solicitor GeneralSir Robin Auld in his Review of the Criminal Courts (October 2001) recommended in relation to the work of the Court of Appeal that:
"The Crown Prosecution Service should consider on a case by case basis whether to appear on the hearing of an appeal against sentence so as to be able to assist the Court, if required, on matters of fact, including the effect on any victim, or of law" (Recommendation 321)
The Government has accepted that recommendation which will be taken forward by the Lord Chief Justice building on existing arrangements that enable the CPS to be represented at some sentencing appeals in the Court of Appeal. The role of the CPS at such hearings is to represent the state. In doing so it can take account of the interests of individual victims.