§ Mr. FranksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action the Government are taking to improve the treatment of the victims of crime.
§ Mr. John PattenThe Criminal Justice Bill will strengthen the arrangements for victims to obtain compensation, will extend anonymity for rape victims and will enable children under 14 to give evidence by live closed circuit television link. We are making available up to £11 million over the next three financial years for the benefit of local victims support schemes. More than 200 awards have been made to local victims schemes as a result of our substantial new programme of funding. We shall shortly be issuing advice to police forces on further ways of helping victims. We shall also produce new leaflets advising victims on compensation and victims support and on attending court.