Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damien Moore and Lucy Frazer

Thursday 23rd May 2019 Commons Chamber

[The Solicitor General]

It is always a pleasure to hear from my hon. Friend, who is an excellent Chair of the Justice Committee. I wish Victoria and James every success on Sunday. He is absolutely right to highlight the fact that there are many elements to the legal profession. There is of course private work, as well as legal aid and the free service provided through the pro bono work that lawyers provide. We spend £1.6 billion every year on legal aid, and we are continuing to look at how we can best support people in need through legal aid.

[Damien Moore (Southport) (Con)]

4. What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of CPS engagement with local communities on the judicial process.

[Eddie Hughes (Walsall North) (Con)]

8. What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of CPS engagement with local communities on the judicial process.

[The Solicitor General (Lucy Frazer)]

The Attorney General’s Office has regular engagement with the Crown Prosecution Service, and we know that the issue of community engagement is of key importance to the CPS. In May 2018, it launched its inclusion and community engagement strategy in addition to the existing consultation groups and scrutiny panels, all of which are pivotal in building trust with all communities in relation to CPS decisions.

[Damien Moore]

I welcome my hon. and learned Friend to her post. Can she give an example of community engagement in my local CPS area?

[The Solicitor General]

My hon. Friend’s constituency falls within the Merseyside and Cheshire CPS area, and the inclusion and community engagement manager there is Jennifer Friday. She manages an ambitious programme of community engagement that includes sessions in high schools and a community conversation with people with learning disabilities, and I commend her work. The local criminal justice board has set up a sub-group to focus on hate crime, which is chaired by the CPS and includes Sefton Council.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Damien Moore and Lucy Frazer

Tuesday 5th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Lucy Frazer]

My hon. Friend makes an extremely important point. Our system is highly regarded throughout the world because of our respect for the rule of law, and the quality and integrity of our judiciary. The Department will seek to ensure that we help law firms to get the best post-Brexit arrangements with the EU on recognition and enforcement of judgments, and mutual recognition of qualifications.

[Damien Moore (Southport) (Con)]

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

[Lucy Frazer]

We want to improve the court experience for everyone, including victims and witnesses. We now have video links in many courts that allow victims and vulnerable people to take part in criminal proceedings without having to meet the defendant face-to-face in court.

[Damien Moore]

What steps are being taken to ensure that victims and witnesses who give evidence in court are provided with access to counselling and other mental health services?

[Lucy Frazer]

My hon. Friend is right to identify the fact that we need to support vulnerable people who go through the justice system. That is why we will spend about £96 million this year to support and fund services such as the ones he identifies, including pre-trial visits and funding for police and crime commissioners to commission local services, including rape support services.