asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the new Director of Service Prosecutions, Bruce Houlder QC, has served in HM Regular or Reserve Forces; and [HL2892]

Whether they will place in the Library of the House an outline and timetable of the induction course for the new Director of Service Prosecutions; and whether the director will exercise any prosecutorial functions prior to completing this course. [HL2893]

The full details and timings of Mr Houlder's induction programme will be finalised with him when he takes up his post as the first Director of Service Prosecutions (DSP) in May 2008. There are no plans to place a copy in the Library of the House. However, it is anticipated that the programme will include familiarisation with the service justice system and the service courts, engagement with the single service provost marshals and the Ministry of Defence Police, as well as meetings with Defence Ministers, the Attorney-General, the single service chiefs, the Permanent Secretary and the principal personnel officers of the single services. The DSP will also visit ships, establishments and air stations both at home and overseas to acquire a breadth of knowledge about the areas and the circumstances in which Armed Forces personnel live and operate. The programme will also include visits to operational theatres.

Mr Houlder has not served as a regular or reserve member of Her Majesty's Armed Forces.

The DSP will not exercise any prosecutorial functions until 1 January 2009.