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Written question asked by Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative) on Monday, 31 March 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 April 2025. It was answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede (Labour) on Monday, 14 April 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Government Controlled Companies: Private Prosecutions

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede on 27 March (HL5807), what are the names of the companies where the UK taxpayer is the only shareholder which brought a private prosecution using common law powers preserved under section 6(1) of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 in 2024.

Answer

The Ministry of Justice does not collate or record data on individual private prosecutors, although some prosecutors may publish their own data separately. Therefore, it is not possible to provide data on the number of companies where the UK taxpayer is the only shareholder that have brought a private prosecution in 2024.

This Government considers that it is important that more information about private prosecutors is available to improve confidence in the criminal justice system. This is why we have launched a public consultation on options to improve the oversight, regulation, and transparency of private prosecutors in the criminal justice system, which closes on 8 May. The consultation seeks respondents’ views on improvements to the available data on private prosecutors and the prosecutions they bring.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL6327
Session
2024-26
Related items
Government Controlled Companies: Prosecutions
Thursday, 27 March 2025
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Government controlled companies Private prosecutions
Legislation
Prosecution of Offences Act 1985
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk