§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy actively to promote the wider use of mediation by providing appropriate funding; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanThe role which mediation might play in the criminal justice system was examined by an inter-departmental working group in 1992. Within the sphere of the Home Office's responsibilities, it was concluded that mediation or reparation might usefully complement a caution. The efficacy of a number of schemes which link mediation with a caution is being examined. Victim-offender mediation has been taken forward by individual probation services and funding has been provided to local mediation schemes under 10 of the safer cities projects.