Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tim Loughton and Nigel Huddleston

Thursday 2nd February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham) (Con)]

1. What steps the Crown Prosecution Service is taking to support victims and witnesses giving evidence in court.

[Nigel Huddleston (Mid Worcestershire) (Con)]

4. What steps the Crown Prosecution Service is taking to support victims and witnesses giving evidence in court.

[The Attorney General (Jeremy Wright)]

Prosecutors can apply for special measures to allow victims and witnesses to give evidence in court unseen by the defendant. The Government are making available the opportunity for vulnerable witnesses to give pre-recorded evidence without going into a courtroom at all. In addition, recent CPS guidance, now implemented nationwide, makes it clear what prosecutors can do to explain what is likely to happen at court, so that victims and witnesses can better understand the trial process and give the best evidence they can.