§ Mr. ButcherTo ask the Attorney-General if he will ensure that during court hearings of serious crimes, witnesses for the prosecution are securely separated from defendants' associates and defendants' witnesses while on court premises.
§ The Attorney-GeneralSegregated witness waiting rooms are provided in existing court buildings wherever possible. For new Crown court buildings, the design standards provide for a sufficient number of witness waiting rooms per courtroom and a separate witness suite which incorporates toilet facilities. Listing officers will, whenever possible, list cases so that witnesses and others involved are not kept waiting unnecessarily on court premises.
§ Mr. ButcherTo ask the Attorney-General if he will ensure that witnesses attending hearings of serious crimes are invited to attend the court on a phased basis rather than having to be present at all times during a particular day.
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§ The Attorney-GeneralSo far as possible, the Crown prosecution service tries to minimise delay for witnesses waiting to give evidence, and it is current practice to phase the attendance of witnesses in lengthy trials.