Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 24 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 28 February 2003. It was answered by Baroness Harman (Labour) on Friday, 28 February 2003 on behalf of the Solicitor General.

Solicitor-General

Question: To ask the Solicitor General, pursuant to her Answer of 7th February, Official Report, column 468W, on the Suicide Act 1961, if she will answer with reference to section 2(4) of the Act.

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Solicitor General pursuant to her answer of 7 February 2003, Official Report, column 468W, on the Suicide Act 1961, if she will answer with reference to section 2(4) of the Act. [99342] The Solicitor-General: Section 2(1) of the Suicide Act 1961 creates the offence which allows the prosecution of an individual who is found to have assisted another to commit suicide. Section 2(4) provides that the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions must be obtained before such a prosecution is commenced. The decision whether to grant consent to a prosecution under section 2(1) is made in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, following an investigation conducted by the police. The Director does not intend to publish any prosecution policy specific to the Suicide Act.

Secondary information