asked the Attorney-General if he will take steps to improve the speed and efficiency of the Crown Prosecution Service in dealing with reimbursement of moneys paid over in cases where a prosecution is brought but when all charges have subsequently been dropped and the prosecution has been ordered to discharge the defendant's costs; and if he will make a statement.

Efforts are continually made by the Crown Prosecution Service to speed up the carrying out of all its functions, including the payments of costs.