A public prosecutor would operate in each police force area, responsible for the conduct of all prosecutions, both summary and on indictment. This local official would be part of a central Government department under the control of the Director of Public Prosecutions, who in turn would answer to the Attorney General. The Director of Public Prosecutions would provide national guidelines, intervene in difficult or complex cases, appoint and supervise personnel, and manage resources generally. The Attorney General would be responsible in Parliament, but only for general policy and not in any particular case. The National Prosecution Service would result in considerably less police control of the criminal justice system. Although the plan appears feasible, several issues need examination. First, the relationship between the prosecutor and the local police will be delicate, and the demarcation line between their respective functions will be fine. Second, it is not clear to what extent reform would improve decisionmaking in prosecutions. Finally, the White Paper rejects any possibility of local accountability or control of the public prosecutor. This would prevent comment and criticism by those affected. Sixty notes are listed.