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23 Jan 2006 : Column 1708W—continued
SOLICITOR-GENERAL
Crown Prosecution Service
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Solicitor-General how many people were employed by the Crown Prosecution Service on (a) 1 January 1997 and (b) 1 January 2005. [41184]
The Solicitor-General:
The number of people who were employed by the Crown Prosecution Service on (a) 1 January 1997 and (b) 1 January 2005 are as follows.
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| Number | |
|---|---|
| 1 January 1997 | 5,853 |
| 1 January 2005 | 8,056 |
The increase in staff reflects additional responsibilities given to the CPS through, for example, the introduction of the charging programme, provision of better support to victims and witnesses and more advocacy undertaken by CPS prosecutors, as well as the demands of other initiatives to improve the effectiveness of the CPS.
Suspicious Deaths
Mr. Amess: To ask the Solicitor-General what account the Crown Prosecution Service takes of the judgment of a coroner's inquest in deciding whether to bring charges in the case of a suspicious death where no charges have previously been made; and if he will make a statement. [44399]
The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will decide whether or not to prosecute in accordance with the principles set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors: it will prosecute cases when there is a realistic prospect of conviction and it is in the public interest to do so. The CPS will have regard to the verdict of a coroner's court and will take into consideration evidence that emerges at a coroner's inquest which affects the decision whether or not to bring a prosecution. Each case will be considered on its own particular facts.
CHURCH COMMISSIONERS
Disclosure of Documents
Kate Hoey: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners for what reasons the Commissioners will not disclose the documents relating to claims against them for damages to the housing units in Ufford street, Mitre road and Webber street without a court order. [43411]
Sir Stuart Bell: The Commissioners have been notified, by solicitors acting for a number of residents, of potential claims against them for damages arising from the improvements carried out by the Commissioners to premises in Ufford street, Mitre road and Webber street. This matter is the subject of potential litigation and it is therefore inappropriate for the Commissioners to make disclosure of documents outside the legal process. The Commissioners would not rule out making disclosure without a court order and without any admission of liability if the solicitors for the residents properly formulate their claims.
PRIME MINISTER
A Day in the Life"
Mr. Crabb: To ask the Prime Minister whether the costs of A Day in the Life were met from Labour party or from Government funds. [44273]
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The Prime Minister: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning) on 12 January 2006, Official Report, column 742W.
Mr. Crabb: To ask the Prime Minister whether his office sought guidance from (a) the Cabinet Secretary and (b) others as to whether A Day in the Life complied with (i) the Ministerial Code of Conduct and (ii) Government Communications Network guidance. [44274]
The Prime Minister: The film complies with Government Communications guidance, copies of which are available at http: //www.comms.gov.uk/guidance/propriety/default.htm.
Audible Fire Alarms
Bob Spink: To ask the Prime Minister what proportion of the premises occupied by his office is fitted with audible fire alarms. [42874]
The Prime Minister: For these purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Murphy) on 18 January 2006, Official Report, column 1414W.
Departmental Expenditure
Pete Wishart: To ask the Prime Minister what the annual expenditure on vehicles by his office has been in each of the last three years; and what the planned expenditure is for 2005–06. [40267]
The Prime Minister: For these purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I have therefore asked my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Murphy) to reply. A copy of the reply will be placed in the Library of the House.
Diary Commitments
Mr. Crabb: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list his diary commitments for (a) Monday 2 January and (b) Tuesday 3 January. [44275]
The Prime Minister: As my office made public at the time, I was on a short holiday over the Christmas recess. On Tuesday 3 January I met with ministerial colleagues and others.
Political Honours
Mr. Meacher: To ask the Prime Minister why he abolished the political honours scrutiny committee. [44550]
The Prime Minister: I refer my right hon. Friend to recommendation 10 of Reform of the Honours System" (cm 6479). Copies are available in the Libraries of the House.
Working Hours
Mike Penning:
To ask the Prime Minister what EU regulations govern his working hours; what opt outs exist to provide for him to surpass working hour
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regulations; what court cases are currently before the European courts reviewing the legality of these opt outs; and if he will make a statement. [43426]
The Prime Minister: Holders of political offices in the UK are not defined as workers" under the terms of European working time legislation, and are therefore not subject to the working time limits: as such, they do not need to opt out.
DEFENCE
Security
10. Mr. Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the security situation in the Balkans. [44077]
Mr. Ingram: The security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina remains stable; the EU led operation continues to deter, to reassure and to provide a safe and secure environment. In Kosovo the security situation remains stable following the commencement of the final status process; NATO's Kosovo Force continues to provide a safe and secure environment.
Visits (RAF Cosford)
11. Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how often he has visited RAF Cosford to assess training facilities during the last 12 months. [44078]
Mr. Touhig: My right hon. Friend the former Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon, was the last Defence Minister to visit the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering at Cosford, on 24 February 2005.
Security (Afghanistan)
12. Mr. Simon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the security situation in Afghanistan. [44079]
John Reid: The international community, including the UK, is in Afghanistan: to support the Government of Afghanistan as it extends its authority across the entire country; to facilitate reconstruction and development; to improve security; and to counter the narcotics trade. We have made progress on all these things but much remains for us to do. The security situation remains fragile, which is why we remain committed to the expansion of the International Security Assistance Force across Afghanistan.
Veterans Awareness Week
13. Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what representations has he received from the ex-service community about the Veterans Awareness Week in July 2005. [44080]
Mr. Touhig:
I have received many positive comments from the ex-Service community during and after Veterans Awareness Week, and I am sure hon. Members will agree that the events, which culminated with the parade of standards along the Mall, were truly memorable.
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