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Proceeding contribution from Jack Straw (Labour) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 25 March 2008. It occurred during Ministerial statement on Constitutional Renewal.


Constitutional Renewal

On the latter point, I do not think that that is the case, but I shall certainly look at the matter. The aim of all of us involved in the discussions has been to reduce the Attorney-General's discretion over prosecutions and investigations to a necessary minimum that is basically to do with national security. On the point about BAE Systems, it is worth reminding the House that it was the head of the Serious Fraud Office who decided to withdraw from the investigation, not formally the Attorney-General. We all accept that there must be clarity, but I also believe that the case for the Attorney-General to have a power to make decisions in the national interest, on the basis of national security, is important.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
474 c30 
Session
2007-08
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Armed conflict Devolution Civil service Attorney General Church of England British constitution Bill of Rights House of Lords Judiciary Government departments Flags Intelligence and Security Committee Law Commission Dissolution Ministerial powers Prosecutions Public appointments Parliament Square Protest Parliamentary scrutiny Parliament Passports Prerogative of mercy Recall of parliament Scotland Treaties Reform Royal prerogative
Legislation
Draft Constitutional Renewal Bill
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk