To ask the Solicitor-General how many (a) categories and (b) aspects of the South London Crown Prosecution Service's performance (i) improved and (ii) deteriorated between 2005 and 2007. (199339)

The HM CPS Inspectorate's Overall Performance Assessment (OPA) reports are based on 13 aspects of performance. There is no assessment based on categories.

Of the 13 aspects assessed by HM CPS Inspectorate in 2007 for CPS London, South Sector, one aspect had improved since 2005, and four aspects declined. The remaining eight aspects remained stable, although the 'direction of travel' in one of these ('Delivering Change') was one of significant improvement.

To ask the Solicitor-General how many (a) categories and (b) aspects of the South London Crown Prosecution Service's performance were assessed as good in (i) 2005 and (ii) 2007. (199340)

The HM CPS Inspectorate’s overall performance assessment (OPA) reports are based on 13 aspects of performance. There is no assessment based on categories.

Of the 13 aspects assessed by HM CPS Inspectorate in 2005 for CPS London, South Sector, three aspects were rated as good. In 2007, there were no aspects rated as good.

To ask the Solicitor-General what the (a) Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and (b) South London CPS's rate of discharged committals was in (i) 2005 and (ii) 2007; and if she will make a statement. (199341)

A discharge is recorded in magistrates courts where a case is listed for committal to the Crown court for trial but the committal does not go ahead, and the defendant is discharged under section 6(1) of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980.

The number of discharged committals recorded in each of the last three years is shown in the table for the CPS nationally and for CPS London, South Sector. In addition to the total number, the rate of discharged committals is also shown as a percentage against all other outcome types. For example, during 2006-07, 2,325 defendant cases nationally resulted in a discharge, which represented 0.2 per cent. of completed cases.