HC Deb 10 November 1987 vol 122 c120W
Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to provide that all courts take all necessary measures to protect children giving evidence in sex abuse cases from seeing the defendants and from experiencing the formalities of the court.

Mr. John Patten

In England and Wales, clause 30 of the Criminal Justice Bill will permit a child to give evidence at the Crown court by closed circuit television in sex abuse cases. The position in Scotland is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Advocate; but. I understand that the Scottish Law Commission is considering the law of evidence in criminal proceedings, and that the Lord Advocate has asked it to look at the giving of evidence by children in sex abuse cases, including the possible use of closed circuit television.