Clause 31 - Director of Public Prosecutions
Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill
10:30 am
Mr Crispin Blunt (Reigate, Conservative)
I thank the hon. Member for Newry and Armagh (Mr. Mallon) for his kind remarks about our moving his amendments in his absence. If the position were reversed at some stage—in the unlikely absence of all my colleagues and me—I should be grateful if he would return the favour, even if he disagreed with the amendments, so that they could at least be debated. However, I hope that we will not have to rely on him.
The hon. Gentleman's amendment seems eminently reasonable, as the idea behind it is contained in the review. That poses questions as to why the idea was not included in the Bill. Is there a hidden agenda floating around in the background? Most reasonable people would clearly be inclined to support the hon. Gentleman's proposal, and I look forward to the Minister's explanation of why there is nothing similar in the Bill.
There are questions about the relationship between the Attorney-General and the Director of Public Prosecutions and—because the Attorney-General will answer for the DPP in the Assembly—about the confidence that must exist between them. There is, however, no relationship between the Attorney-General's term of office and that of the DPP, and,
under the Bill, an Attorney-General can appoint a DPP who may remain in office permanently until the age of 65. We shall discuss the age limit in the clause stand part debate, and I shall be interested to hear from hon. Members who contributed to our debate on the age limit for the Attorney-General. There are, however, particular problems in this case because the DPP's term of office is unlimited. The review suggests that the DPP should hold his post for a fixed term or until he reaches a statutory retirement age, which leads us to a discussion of the relationship between the Attorney-General and the DPP, which I shall explore in the clause stand part debate.
On the amendment, paragraph 4.176 of the review noted:
''It is particularly important that the process of appointing the head of the Public Prosecution Service is insulated from any possibility or appearance of political influence.''
In the light of that recommendation, I look forward to the Minister's reply to the debate. I should add that the Opposition are inclined to support the amendment tabled by the hon. Member for Newry and Armagh.