§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects there to be witness support schemes in every magistrates court. [22838]
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer 10 May 1995]: There are no plans to set up witness support schemes in magistrates courts. Our priority is to implement the royal commission recommendation to establish witness support schemes at all Crown courts. Some 40 schemes are 553W already in operation, and additional Home Office funding last year and this will enable victim support to complete the witness service at all 78 Crown court centres by the end of 1995.