| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
4 Feb 2005 : Column 1188W—continued
UK Coins
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost is of minting each UK coin. [213943]
Mr. Timms: The costs of minting individual coins are commercially confidential.
SOLICITOR-GENERAL
Witness Care
Vera Baird: To ask the Solicitor-General what monitoring the Crown Prosecution Service carries out of the standard of witness care by the Bar in (a) criminal and (b) rape trials. [207500]
The Solicitor-General: On their cycle of inspections Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate investigate the quality of the prosecution service as a whole including that provided by the Bar on behalf of the local Area. They do so by monitoring files, advocates and, discussing performance issues with other criminal justice system stakeholders, including the judiciary. They formally report on their findings.
In addition, a number of CPS Areas have in place local, arrangements in respect of monitoring of the Bar in relation to the prosecution of rape trials and criminal trials generally and this includes in some Areas monitoring the standard of witness care provided by counsel. Examples include monitoring of counsel by experienced caseworkers, CPS rape specialists attending for part of the trial to observe, and by addressing monitoring with the Heads of Chambers and at Joint Advocates Selection Committee as appropriate.
Rape Trials
Vera Baird: To ask the Solicitor-General what instructions are given to the Bar by the Crown Prosecution Service about dealing with defence applications to cross-examine about previous sexual history in rape trials which are not made in advance of the trial. [207503]
4 Feb 2005 : Column 1189W
The Solicitor-General: The instructions given by the Crown Prosecution Service to the Bar regarding defence applications to cross-examine complainants about previous sexual history in rape trials are provided in the CPS Instructions to Prosecuting Advocates booklet. The booklet is published on the CPS website www.cps.gov.uk. It states:
"Sections 41–43 of the Act (restriction on evidence or questions about a complainant's sexual history) were brought into effect on 4 December 2000, The House of Lords has considered this aspect of the legislation in the case of R. v. A. (judgment 17 May 2001).
In that case, the House held that prior consensual relationship between the complainant and the defendant might in some circumstances be relevant to the issue of consent. However, all the Law Lords accepted that the complainant must not be treated unfairly. The judgment emphasises "the presumption of exclusion" under the Act. Consequently, advocates should encourage the court to consider section 41 in the context of the judgment overall To do otherwise may lessen the practical effect of the reforms contained in section 41.
It is essential that advocates are robust in dealing with applications under section 41 and that the correct procedure is followed to ensure that inappropriate questioning does not take place.
If the court grants leave to cross-examine a complainant about previous sexual history, it will be essential to review the position relating to special measures. It may be necessary to make an application to the court for one or more of the special measures provided by the Act or to apply to vary a pre-existing direction".
In addition, the CPS instructs experienced counsel in rape cases ensuring that scrutiny of defence applications, if made at trial, to admit evidence of previous sexual history takes place and inappropriate applications are countered, robustly.
Vera Baird: To ask the Solicitor-General (1) what the conviction rate in contested rape trials was in 2004 in (a) England and (b) the jurisdiction of the Teesside Crown court; [207505]
(2) what percentage of defendants charged with rape pleaded guilty during 2004 in (a) England and (b) the jurisdiction of the Teesside Crown court. [207506]
The Solicitor-General: The jurisdiction for Teesside Crown court is national. Teesside Crown court is in, Cleveland whose statistics are given as follows.
The conviction rate in contested rape trials in 2004 was 37.7 per cent. in England and Wales, and 27.3 per cent. in Cleveland.
The percentage of defendants charged with rape who pleaded guilty during 2004 was 13.6 per cent. in England and Wales, and 12.5 per cent. in Cleveland.
Departmental Staff
John Mann: To ask the Solicitor-General what percentage of the Law Officers' Departments' staff is based in London. [208032]
The Solicitor-General:
Information, on regional distribution of staff is available in the Libraries of both Houses, and also at: http//www.civilservice.gov. uk/management_information/statistical_information/statistics/contents_for_civil_service_statistics_2003_ report/index.asp
4 Feb 2005 : Column 1190W
Table D shows the numbers of staff by regional distribution.
The figure for HMCPS Inspectorate for the same period, which is not recorded separately in that publication, is 74 per cent. of staff based in London.
Figures relating to 1 April 2004 are due to be published during February 2005.
TRANSPORT
Highways Agency Traffic Officers
Mr. Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much the uniformed Highways Agency traffic officers will be paid; and how much has been spent on recruitment costs to date. [211175]
Mr. Darling: Uniformed traffic officers in the west midlands are paid a starting salary of £16,171, rising to a maximum of £20,200. They receive an additional allowance of up to 20 per cent. for shift working. Rates for the south-east will be determined having regard to market rates.
The overall estimated cost of recruitment is £200,000.
New Car Registrations
Mr. Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many new car registrations there were in the year to 31 December 2004 (a) in total, (b) by volume and (c) by percentage in the (i) AAA: under 100, (ii) AA: 101–120, (iii) A: 121–150, (iv) B: 151–165, (v) C: 166–185, (vi) D.1: 186–200, (vii) D.2: 201–225, (viii) D.3: 226–250, (ix) D.4: 251–275, (x) D.5: 276–300, (xi) D.6: 301–350, (xii) D.7: 351–400, (xiii) D.8: 401–450, (xiv) D.9: 451–500 and (xv) D.10: 501+ carbon dioxide g/km band. [211173]
Mr. Darling: The number of new cars registered between 1 January 2004 and September 30 2004 (the latest month for which figures are available) in total, is 2,107,329. The number of vehicles which would fall into the bands requested are:
Railway Track Removal (High Marnham/Shirebrook)
John Mann:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) economic and (b) environmental
4 Feb 2005 : Column 1191W
impact assessment has been made of the decision to remove the railway track between High Marnham and Shirebrook. [213722]
Mr. McNulty [holding answer 3 February 2005]: Network Rail inform me that no decision has been made to remove this track, which only serves a disused power station and is currently not used by any freight or passenger traffic. Powergen, the owners of the power station, are considering options for the future of the site.
Trust Ports
Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department supports the harbour revision order application submitted by Dover Harbour Board. [213162]
Mr. Jamieson [holding answer 1 February 2005]: I will be writing to the hon. Member very shortly setting out the Government's position in respect of recent HRO applications made by Dover and other port authorities to which he has objected.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |