§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend the protection given to witnesses into a more formal framework allowing local authorities to relocate witnesses to, and victims of, crime. [31710]
§ Mr. MichaelOn 13 June last year, we announced a wide ranging review of the way in which vulnerable and intimidated witnesses are treated in the criminal justice system. The review, which is nearing completion, is examining measures to assist intimidated witnesses from the investigation stage through to the trial itself and beyond. The existing housing legislation already enables a local housing authority to allocate accommodation to witnesses and victims who need to be relocated.
§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to support and protect witnesses to crimes during and after giving evidence. [32045]
§ Mr. MichaelWe wish to offer greater protection to vulnerable or intimidated witnesses and means of doing so are being considered by the inter-departmental review of vulnerable or intimidated witnesses, which was announced by my right hon. Friend on 13 June 1997. The review, which is nearing completion, is wide ranging and is examining procedures to assist witnesses from the investigation stage through to the trial itself and beyond.