Paul Burstow: To ask the Attorney-General how many cases are being investigated with a view to prosecution for offences under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007; how many cases brought under the provisions of the Act have been investigated since the commencement of the Act; and what steps the Crown Prosecution Service is taking to assist future prosecutions under the Act.

The Solicitor-General: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not hold data on the total number of cases under investigation with a view to possible prosecution for offences under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007; such information would be held by the relevant investigating authorities.

CPS records indicate that the number of cases brought for prosecution by the CPS under the provisions of the Act is four; however, this does not include any cases involving unincorporated partnerships which would be handled by CPS Complex Casework Units (CCU). CCU records do not distinguish between corporate and other types of manslaughter, and such data could not be reasonably obtained locally or nationally other than by reviewing individual case files which would incur a disproportionate cost.

The CPS encourages early referral from the police, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) in order to allow closer partnership working with investigators and to advise on this complex area of law. Early referral will enable advice to be given on investigation strategy, and for the appropriate instruction of experts to assist in making progress in these cases. Since 2011, the CPS has been making efforts to strengthen the process of early advice. The CPS is leading a project to strengthen engagement with the Association of Chief Police Officers HSE, IPCC and others.