§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Solicitor-General, what assessment she has made of the effect of the proposals in the draft text prepared by the Convention on the Future of Europe on the operation of the Crown Prosecution Service. [115018]
§ The Solicitor-General[holding answer 22 May 2003]The draft Constitutional Treaty aims to modernise and simplify the existing Treaties into a single, readable text. In most cases, there will be no change to the substance: the current Treaties already provide for police and judicial co-operation at EU level. Europol and Eurojust have already been established and are already making a significant contribution to the fight against transitional serious crime and terrorism. The draft proposals recommend the creation of a European Public prosecutor. The UK opposes this. Prosecution should remain the responsibility of the Member State.
The UK will not sign up to anything which is not in its interest. The new Treaty can only be agreed by Heads of Government at an IGC by unanimity.
§ Richard OttawayTo ask the Solicitor-General, if she will make a statement on the administrative efficiency of the Crown Prosecution Service in London. [115020]
§ The Solicitor-General[holding answer 22 May 2003]The Croydon CPS Criminal Justice Unit dealt with 12,860 last year and achieved a conviction rate of 97.0 per cent. of those cases that went to trial.
I am also aware that continuing efforts are made to improve performance and procedures if any deficiencies are found.