§ Lord Christopherasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their response to the recommendations of the Law Commission Report No. 245, Evidence in Criminal proceedings: Hearsay and Related Topics. [HL386]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Williams of Mostyn)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, while maintaining proper safeguards to protect the interests of the defendants.
The Government have decided to accept all the recommendations in the report.