HC Deb 17 December 1998 vol 322 c725W
Mr. Bradshaw

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the Government's response to the recommendations of the Law Commission report No. 245: Evidence in Criminal Proceedings: Hearsay and Related Topics; and if he will make a statement. [64785]

Mr. Straw

The Government consider the Law Commission's report No. 245, published in June 1997, a thorough and comprehensive review of the law on hearsay evidence. It contains 50 recommendations and a draft bill which are intended to modernise and codify the law.

The Government have given careful consideration to the recommendations in the report, in consultation with the Law Commission. They have concluded that the proposals will simplify the law and enable more evidence to be deemed admissible, whilst maintaining proper safeguards to protect the interests of the defendant.

The Government have decided to accept all the recommendations in the report.

Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek powers to allow a judge discretion not to abandon criminal trials where a defendant's criminal record is revealed, prior to verdict, by a co-defendant or witness; and if he will make a statement. [63022]

Mr. Boateng

The law on previous misconduct, which includes the admissibility in criminal proceedings of a defendant's criminal record, is currently under consideration by the Law Commission. The Law Commission issued a consultation paper on this subject in July 1996 and we will await their final report, which is expected next year, before reaching a decision on this matter.