Police are hoping to finally give a file to the Department of Public Prosecutions on pyramid schemes within the week, Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox revealed last night.

Ms Cox told the House of Assembly that Police had encountered great difficulties in getting information from people about the schemes.

But it was hoped a file would be sent within the week to Director of Public Prosecutions Khamisi Tokunbo, who will decide whether anyone will face criminal charges.

She said the DPP's decision would have some bearing on the position Government would have to take in relation to the schemes, some of which were reported to be being operated out of Police headquarters at Prospect.

Ms Cox's disclosure came after Shadow Legislative Affairs Minister John Barritt attacked Attorney General Dame Lois Browne-Evans for not answering questions he tabled about whether the schemes were illegal.

Ms Cox said: "A number of matters are being investigated and files are being looked at.

"The Police have had tremendous difficulty getting some information because people have been less than forthcoming but they hope within the next week to have files to be able to pass to the DPP for review then a decision on whether there is a case to answer.'' The pyramid schemes have been mired in controversy. In February, Dame Lois announced she was "cracking open the books'' to look at the law again to give Premier Jennifer Smith an opinion, which would go to Cabinet.

Her announcement came after then-Crown counsel Peter Eccles of the DPP's department, which has responsibility for criminal prosecutions, gave an opinion that such schemes were illegal.

Dame Lois's opinion was supposed to be made public, but there has been silence from Government since then over whether it considered such schemes illegal.

Mr. Barritt told the House of Assembly the schemes were seen by some as a rip off and asked: "Why can't we get a position from the Government on this, even from the Consumer Affairs Board? "I asked these questions and tried to do it in a responsible way to voice concerns. It is curious that some of the difficulties we now appear to be in follow directly from new division between the DPP and the appointment of a political AG. That makes me wonder what's going on here.'' Dame Lois said she had not answered the questions because the way they were submitted was a "shambles''. Mr. Barritt said they had been changed and submitted properly and accused her of misleading the House.

Dame Lois claimed Mr. Barritt was "politicising'' issues over the judicial system, but did not answer his questions on pyramid schemes because she ran out of time.

She said she was entitled to give the Premier a legal opinion and that Mr.

Barritt was wrong to make his call to "clear the air'' on the AG's role.

"Did he expect the Premier to go to the AG and DPP to find out what she wants? Next she will be talking to the DPP and people will be saying she is trying to influence him.

"It would be a silly thing when we are trying to separate them. Obviously she's supposed to come to me if she wants an opinion on the law. She wanted an opinion and she got an opinion.''