To ask the Attorney-General (1) what percentage of cases of alleged sexual offences against children investigated by the Police in 1995–96 and 1996–97 and referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (a) were judged to have passed the evidential test, (b) proceeded to prosecution in court and (c) resulted in a conviction; [17660](2) what percentage of cases
(a) proceeded to prosecution in court and (b) resulted in a conviction, in cases involving alleged sexual offences against children in 1995–96 and 1996–97 when the only evidence was the testimony of the child or children; [17662]
(3) what were the reasons for the decisions not to proceed to prosecution in respect of those alleged sexual offences against children investigated by the Police in 1995–96 and 1996–97, in which the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to prosecute. [17663]
The Crown Prosecution Service holds no central records on the outcome of proceedings in respect of particular offences. The information is held in Branch offices on individual case files and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
To ask the Attorney-General what factors the Crown Prosecution Service takes into account in applying the evidential test in cases involving alleged sexual offences against children where the only evidence was the testimony of the child or children. [17661]
Each case is unique and must be considered on its own merit but, generally, a principle of fairness is applied to the evidence of children. This means that the evidence of a child is considered no less reliable than that of an adult simply because it comes from a child. As in all cases, prosecutors will consider whether the evidence can be used in court and whether it is reliable in deciding if there is a realistic prospect of conviction. Prosecutors are urged to use all the procedures available to assist child witnesses to give evidence.