Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robert Buckland and Chris Green

Thursday 22nd March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Chris Green (Bolton West) (Con)]

6. What steps the CPS is taking domestically and internationally to increase the effectiveness of prosecutions in cases involving modern slavery.

[The Solicitor General (Robert Buckland)]

We are committed to stamping out modern-day slavery both domestically and internationally. Last month, the Director of Public Prosecutions hosted an international summit for 15 countries’ prosecutors from around the world; as a result, our international response will be strengthened.

[Chris Green]

I thank the Solicitor General for that answer. Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service inspectorate has recently examined the way in which the Crown Prosecution Service deals with modern slavery. What is his assessment of that report?

[The Solicitor General]

While the report showed that there are areas for improvement, it also showed that the CPS’s decision making in complex cases is good, and that successful prosecutions are built from early engagement between the CPS and specialist police teams. I am pleased to say that mandatory face-to-face training for prosecutors on modern slavery is taking place at this very moment.