§ Mr. BayleyTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what measures have been taken since July 1992 to make the order to witnesses to attend court clearer and less formal.
Mr. John M. TaylorSince last May, recipients of witness orders have also been given an explanatory letter from the clerk to the justices which sets out in clear, easily understood terms, what the witness can expect to happen in the Crown court. We will be putting forward proposals to remove the requirement to serve witness orders, when the next legislative opportunity arises. Witnesses will continue to receive the explanatory letter as this contains all the relevant information about their attendance at court.