Written question asked by Nigel Spearing (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 10 December 1996. It was answered by Lord Lyell of Markyate (Conservative) on Tuesday, 10 December 1996 on behalf of the Attorney General.

Attorney General

Question: What standing instructions he provides for servants or contractors to the Crown giving advice to the Director of Public Prosecutions in his decisions concerning the advisability or otherwise of prosecuting prima facie criminal offences. - Inc ref to code for crown prosecutors and explanatory memorandum (in Library).

Answer: Mr. Spearing: To ask the Attorney-General what standing instructions he provides for servants or contractors to the Crown giving advice to the Director of Public Prosecutions in his decisions concerning the advisability or otherwise of prosecuting prima facie criminal offences. [7685] The Attorney-General: The evidential test applied by the Crown Prosecution Service is that which is set out in the code for crown prosecutors, issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions pursuant to section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. It is accompanied by an explanatory memorandum. Copies of the current edition of the code and the explanatory memorandum are available in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament. Although statutory responsibility for the code rests with the Director of Public Prosecutions, it is her practice to consult me in relation to any proposed changes.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 7685; 287 c101W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: Codes of practice Crown Prosecution Service Crown proceedings Prosecutions