Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Edward Argar and Phillip Lee

Tuesday 5th September 2017 Commons Chamber

[Justin Tomlinson (North Swindon) (Con)]

18. What steps the Government are taking to improve the court experience for victims and witnesses.

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

We are testing pre-trial cross-examination for child and vulnerable victims and witnesses in the Crown court, and testing this provision for certain eligible intimidated victims in three Crown court centres this autumn. We have installed remote links in each region and recently completed work on model waiting rooms. We recognise that there are concerns about the operation of the victims’ code, and we are considering how compliance might be monitored and improved.

[Edward Argar]

I welcome that answer. Despite the progress that has been made, attending court as a witness, and particularly as a victim, can still be very stressful. Will my hon. Friend enlarge on what steps the Government are taking to ensure that victims and witnesses know what to expect when they attend court, and that they are treated with respect in court and know when they are required?