Oral Answers to Questions

Jessica Morden Excerpts

Thursday 6th September 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call Will Quince—[Interruption.] I do beg the hon. Lady’s pardon; it is not personally directed at the hon. Member for Newport East (Jessica Morden).

[Jessica Morden (Newport East) (Lab)]

5. What steps the CPS is taking to support victims and witnesses giving evidence in court.

[The Solicitor General (Robert Buckland)]

The CPS continues to work with criminal justice partners to ensure that the support offered to victims and witnesses is tailored to meet their needs. Prosecutors will meet victims and witnesses before they give evidence to explain what is likely to happen in court and consider whether special measures such as screens or TV links can be used to help them to give their evidence.

[Jessica Morden]

Registered intermediaries support children and vulnerable witnesses in court, but as BBC Wales reported last week, there is only one for the whole of Wales, including Gwent. In view of that, is the Solicitor General confident that equal access to justice is being delivered?

[Mr Speaker]

I am very glad that we have heard from the hon. Lady. It was worth waiting for.