Written question asked by Ivan Lawrence (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 18 December 1996. It was answered by Lord Blencathra (Conservative) on Wednesday, 18 December 1996 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: Statement on when he expects to lay before Parliament the code of practice prepared under Part II of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996; and when it will come into effect. - Inc fact that am laying it before Parliament today. Before the code can take effect, Parliament must approve an order bringing it into operation. I will lay an order seeking approval before Parliament as soon as possible next year.

Answer: Sir Ivan Lawrence: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to lay before Parliament the code of practice prepared under part II of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996; and when it will come into effect. [10398] Mr. Maclean: In view of the interest in the code of practice among criminal justice practitioners, I am laying it before Parliament today. This is to assist them in preparing for the implementation of parts I and II of the Act next year. Before the code can take effect, Parliament must approve an order bringing it into operation. I will lay an order seeking approval before Parliament as soon as possible next year. I am not yet able to do so, because the disclosure scheme in part I, which the code supports, depends on a number of sets of rules of court. These are currently the subject of consultation with criminal justice practitioners, and it is too early to say exactly when they will be ready to be implemented.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 10398; 287 c751-2W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: Disclosure of information Criminal proceedings Codes of practice Courts Evidence Rules of procedure
Legislation: Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996