Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Attorney General, what assessment he has made of the reasons for variations across police force areas in conviction rates for rape offences.

There are a number of factors at various stages that are likely to have an impact on conviction rates for rape, but the Crown Prosecution Service is committed to improving the conviction rate for rape by working closely with partners in all police force areas.

In order to provide consistency of approach, the CPS has also established networks of Violence against Women and Girls co-ordinators.