Oral Answers to Questions

Karl McCartney Excerpts

Tuesday 12th November 2013 Commons Chamber

[Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)]

6. What steps he has taken to increase the voice of victims in the criminal justice system.

[Karl MᶜCartney (Lincoln) (Con)]

13. What steps he has taken to increase the voice of victims in the criminal justice system.

--- Later in debate ---

[Damian Green]

I am aware of the terrible consequences of what was a very serious crime. It is precisely for such victims of crime that we are now providing a voice in court. If they so wish, they can read a personal statement to the offender, looking the offender in the eye, and many victims have said that that would have made a very big difference to them in the past.

[Karl MᶜCartney]

I was pleased to hear that the new victims code will automatically inform victims of their right to make a statement in court. Does my right hon. Friend agree that it is important that services for victims of crime are not only commissioned locally but that we maintain our existing courts structure? As a justice of the peace, I specifically include magistrates courts, which help to safeguard a local perspective.

[Damian Green]

I agree that it is important for victims to be able to inform the court directly, through the personal statement, about how a crime has affected them. I also agree about the great importance of magistrates for local justice; indeed, that is precisely why I am leading work to broaden and strengthen their role in delivering justice.