§ 2. Mr. Andrew Dismore (Hendon)What steps he is taking to ensure that the concerns of victims of crime are taken into account in the criminal justice system. [44242]
§ 14. Mr. Ben Chapman (Wirral, South)What recent steps he has taken to help victims of crime. [44256]
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Jack Straw)We promised in our manifesto to improve the treatment of victims and witnesses. I established an interdepartmental working group on vulnerable and intimidated witnesses within two months of coming to office. Last week, I published its report. The report has more than 70 recommendations to give better protection to witnesses and victims and so ensure that more criminals are convicted.
§ Mr. DismoreI thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. Is he aware that although there are good relations between the local Victim Support branch in Barnet and the local Metropolitan police, there are considerable difficulties with automatic police referrals of the victims of serious crime to Victim Support? That has resulted in some victims not getting the help that they need, owing to a rather restrictive interpretation by the Metropolitan police of the data protection rules. As the authority for the Metropolitan police in London, will my right hon. Friend do all that he can to ensure that they refer as many victims as they possibly can to Victim Support branches under the automatic rules?
§ Mr. StrawI shall certainly raise the matter with the Commissioner, Sir Paul Condon. There is a difficulty in police forces across the country to do with differing interpretations of whether the Data Protection Act restricts the flow of information in the manner that my hon. Friend has described. The Crime and Disorder Bill, which has almost completed its passage through the House, should 4 clarify matters and enable police forces, without worry, to ensure that such information is passed on to Victim Support in appropriate circumstances.
§ Mr. ChapmanIs my right hon. Friend aware that victims of rape are an especially vulnerable group when they appear in court, and that urgent action is needed to support them? What steps does he propose to take?
§ Mr. StrawMy hon. Friend is right to raise the issue, which causes concern throughout the House and across the country. He will be pleased to learn that the interdepartmental working group's report contains explicit recommendations in respect of prohibiting cross-examination by the defendant in person—with provision for the defendant to be given lawyer —and in respect of severe restrictions on the cross-examination of the victim's previous sexual history.
§ Sir Sydney Chapman (Chipping Barnet)I echo the point made by the hon. Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore). The right hon. Gentleman will know that the anxieties of the victims of crime would be considerably alleviated if they knew that there was continuing support from the Government for local Victim Support schemes, not least in places such as Barnet, which do invaluable work. I understand that Barnet has the lowest crime rate of any London borough, but the service is still much needed and the Government's continuing support would be much appreciated.
§ Mr. StrawI am pleased to give the hon. Gentleman the undertaking that he seeks. As one sign of that, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced last June that the subvention for Victim Support this year was increased by £1 million. We greatly value its work across the country.
§ Sir Norman Fowler (Sutton Coldfield)What powers are there under existing law to compensate the victims of crime when the crimes are committed outside this country by people who usually live here? We shall obviously support any measures that the right hon. Gentleman takes against those found guilty of violence in Marseilles—their actions are obviously unacceptable—but what can be done to compensate the innocent victims of crime and make the guilty pay?
§ Mr. StrawI thank the right hon. Gentleman for those remarks, with which I wholly associate myself and the Government. I am sure that I speak for the whole House when I unreservedly condemn what happened in Marseilles yesterday and today. The whole country feels betrayed by the treacherous behaviour of this criminal element who so besmirch the name of English football and undermine our nation's reputation.
I spoke this morning with the French Minister of the Interior, Jean-Pierre Chevenement, and apologised to him for the disgraceful behaviour of the English hooligans, emphasising again our full support for the French police in dealing swiftly and vigorously with those who cause such disorder.
The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that issues of compensation are primarily a matter for the countries in which the disorder and crime occur, but I am arranging for the matter to be discussed urgently with the French Minister of the Interior.