Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Graham P Jones and Yasmin Qureshi

Tuesday 20th December 2011 Commons Chamber

[Graham Jones (Hyndburn) (Lab)]

8. What charging responsibilities have been transferred to the police from the Crown Prosecution Service.

[Yasmin Qureshi (Bolton South East) (Lab)]

9. Whether the Crown Prosecution Service plans to evaluate the effects of the transfer of responsibility for charging from the CPS to the police.

[The Attorney-General (Mr Dominic Grieve)]

The transfer of charges from the Crown Prosecution Service to the police under the fourth edition of the DPP’s guidance on charging was completed in June 2011. The following charging responsibilities have now been transferred to the police from the Crown Prosecution Service: summary-only matters where a not guilty plea is anticipated; criminal damage offences under £5,000 where a not guilty plea is anticipated and can be tried summarily; and Fraud Act 2006 and handling offences where a guilty plea is anticipated. There are certain exceptions that must continue to be referred to the CPS, which is currently undertaking an evaluation of the transfer that is expected to be completed early in 2012.