Oral Answers to Questions

Lilian Greenwood Excerpts

Tuesday 20th December 2011 Commons Chamber

[The Attorney-General]

As the hon. Lady appreciates, the Home Office leads on the question of extradition. I indicated when I last took questions that the Government take the view that, first, they need to study the Scott Baker report, which they are doing, and then they will come to the House with proposals. I hope that that will be as soon as possible. In the meantime, I suggest to her that speculation in The Sunday Times is not always the best indication of Government policy.

[Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab)]

6. What assessment he has made of the potential effects on prosecution rates of planned changes to legal aid for victims of domestic violence.

[The Attorney-General (Mr Dominic Grieve)]

I have not made any assessment of the potential effects on prosecution rates of any planned changes to legal aid.

[Lilian Greenwood]

Does the Attorney-General agree with the Under-Secretary of State for Justice, the hon. Member for Huntingdon (Mr Djanogly) that a woman who has reliable eye witnesses, police and medical evidence, photos of injuries, has fled to a refuge and has a partner on a perpetrator programme should not receive civil legal aid to help bring her abuser to justice? If not, what will the Attorney-General do about it?

[The Attorney-General]

My responsibility is the superintendence of the Crown Prosecution Service for prosecuting those who are guilty of domestic violence, and the question of civil legal aid does not come into it one way or another.