Written question asked by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative) on Thursday, 17 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 6 April 2005. It was answered by Baroness Harman (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 April 2005 on behalf of the Solicitor General.

Solicitor-General

Question: To ask the Solicitor General, pursuant to her Answer of 8th March, Official Report, columns 1638-9W, on environmental crime, for what reasons the Crown Prosecution Service does not generally prosecute in cases of environmental crime.

Answer: Miss McIntosh: To ask the Solicitor-General pursuant to her answer of 8 March 2005, Official Report, columns 1638-39W, on environmental crime, for what reasons the Crown Prosecution Service does not generally prosecute in cases of environmental crime. [223518] The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not generally prosecute in cases of environmental crime because, within England and Wales, the Environment Agency and local authorities generally do so instead. The Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 requires the CPS to take on the prosecution of criminal proceedings instituted by a police force. Police forces do not generally investigate allegations of environmental crime, as successive governments have given powers to agencies other than the police and CPS to enforce environmental legislation.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 432 c1466W;432 c1462W; 223518
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Crime Crown Prosecution Service Environment protection Prosecutions
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk