HC Deb 14 February 2003 vol 400 cc12-3W
Geraint Davies

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will provide additional funding to extend the use of live links to enable witnesses other than the defendant to give evidence through a live link in criminal proceedings. [97901]

Yvette Cooper

Video link equipment is used in the Crown and magistrates' courts for two purposes: to enable defendants held in custody to participate in pretrial hearings without having to attend court; and to allow vulnerable or intimidated witnesses to give evidence from outside the courtroom.

All Crown Court centres have TV link equipment, which allows witnesses to give evidence from outside the courtroom but within the court building. 12 Crown Court centres have video conferencing facilities, which allow witnesses to give evidence from a remote location. In addition, equipment linking courtrooms with specific vulnerable and intimidated witness rooms will be installed in 29 Crown Court centres by the end of 2003. This equipment will also allow witnesses to give evidence from a remote location.

133 vulnerable and intimidated witness rooms had been installed in magistrates' courts by the end of September 2002. Work is currently under way to establish the number of additional video links that are required to meet current and future demand. The Court Service will then liaise with Criminal Justice System partners, including the Crown Prosecution Service and the Home Office, on how to take this forward.

Geraint Davies

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what measures her Department is putting in place to ensure that the waiting time for child witnesses is kept to a minimum where the use of a live link is required. [97902]

Yvette Cooper

Crown and magistrates' courts ensure that priority is given to cases involving children or other vulnerable or intimidated witnesses. Courts offer fixed dates for trial at the earliest possible opportunity, subject to the readiness and availability of those involved in the case. Additional video links are being installed in the Crown Courts during 2003. The provision of equipment in the magistrates' courts is now under review to ensure that current and future demand is met, as far as funding allows.