HC Deb 04 March 1996 vol 273 cc69-70W
31. Ms Jowell

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what consideration he has given to empowering the police to pursue a civil remedy in domestic violence cases on behalf of a victim of violence in the home. [16447]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

The question of whether the police should have the power to pursue a civil remedy for domestic violence on behalf of victims has been considered in connection with the Family Law Bill and the former Family Homes and Domestic Violence Bill. The Home Affairs Select Committee, in its 1993 report on domestic violence, and the House of Lords Special Bill Committee on the Family Homes and Domestic Violence Bill, did not support the police having this power because this would place unaccustomed responsibilities on them and would create confusion between the criminal and civil law. The Government agree with this view.

32. Mr. Ainger

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make a statement on the implementation of the recommendations of the May 1992 Law Commission report on "Domestic Violence and Occupation of the Family Home" relating to police powers in respect of family protection. [16448]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

The recommendations of the Law Commission report on domestic violence and occupation of the family home have substantially been included in part III of the Family Law Bill. The Bill strengthens police powers to deal with situations of domestic violence. The Law Commission's recommendations that the police should have the power to pursue civil remedies on behalf of victims has not been included in the Bill because this would place unaccustomed responsibilities on them and would create confusion between criminal and civil law.