Written question asked by Graham Allen (Labour) on Monday, 1 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 November 2004. It was answered by Baroness Harman (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 November 2004 on behalf of the Solicitor General.

Solicitor-General

Question: To ask the Solicitor General, if she will make it her policy to encourage local Crown Prosecution Service prosecutors to meet local police officers informally to improve the working of the charging initiative.

Answer: Mr. Allen: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will make it her policy to encourage local Crown Prosecution Service prosecutors to meet local police officers informally to improve the working of the charging initiative. [196231] The Solicitor-General: The policy of the charging scheme is early consultation between police officers and duty prosecutors, encouraging a prosecution team approach towards the common goal of bringing offenders to justice. Information about local performance and effectiveness is available from the central ACPO/Crown Prosecution service team, and is shared with the local Crown Prosecution Service and police teams. This information is then jointly discussed so that lessons can be learned and issues and training needs identified. This process of constant review enables the local prosecution team to consider together whether changes need to be made to their local systems and arrangements.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 196231; 426 c1513W;426 c1517W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Crown Prosecution Service Offenders Police Prosecutions Charging initiative
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk