Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alan Mak and Phillip Lee

Tuesday 6th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Alan Mak (Havant) (Con)]

4. What steps his Department is taking to improve the court experience for victims and witnesses.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Dr Phillip Lee)]

We are committed to improving the experiences of those who have become victims of crime, which is why, by the summer, we will publish our victims strategy, a key aspect of which is how we can improve support for victims as they interact with the criminal justice system.

[Alan Mak]

I welcome the steps the Government have taken. Does my hon. Friend agree that the video hearing system and other new technologies have the potential not only to improve victims’ experience in court but to increase court capacity?

[Dr Lee]

My hon. Friend is right. Ensuring that victims of crime are able to give evidence in the easiest possible way is among our highest priorities. The roll-out of new video and audio technology will ensure that courts and their work loads are managed more efficiently.