HC Deb 22 July 1999 vol 335 cc620-1W
Mr. Mullin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff are currently working in the Justice and Victims Unit; and what are their responsibilities. [91825]

Mr. Boateng

There are currently 28 staff in the Justice and Victims Unit of the Home Office. Their responsibilities are:

  1. A. Victims Issues, including compensation
    1. 1. Court Compensation orders
    2. 2. Review and oversight of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme
    3. 3. Victims Charter
    4. 4. Victims of crime policy issues
    5. 5. Administration of grant to 'Victim Support'
    6. 6. Witness support services in the Crown and Magistrates courts
    7. 7. Administration of grant to 'Support After Murder and Manslaughter'
  2. B. Miscarriages of Justice
    1. 1. Oversight of the Criminal Cases Review Commission
    2. 2. Policy and case work relating to:
      1. a. Compensation for wrongful conviction or charge
      2. b. The exercise of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy
    3. 3. Casework relating to alleged wrongful conviction in the Channel Islands and Isle of Man
  3. C. Prosecution policy; reducing delay in the criminal justice system; procedure in the magistrates courts
    1. 1. Policy issues relating to the relationship between the police, Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the courts, and Home Office interest in the reform of the CPS
    2. 2. Reducing delay in the criminal justice system:
      1. a. Narey measures, including new indictable-only procedures;
      2. b. Time limits on criminal proceedings
    3. 3. Bail in criminal proceedings
    4. 4. Policy on police cautioning of adult offenders
    5. 5. Policy on criminal procedures in magistrates courts (adults)
    6. 6. Criminal legal aid (Home Office interest)
    7. 7. Crediting of remand time towards sentences
    8. 8. Television links between courts and prisons
  4. D. Policy on criminal evidence and procedure in the Crown Court and Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)
    1. 1. Procedure in the Crown Court and Court of Appeal (Criminal Division)
    2. 2. Criminal evidence, including oaths
    3. 3. Disclosure of prosecution material in criminal proceedings
    4. 4. Juries, including juries in fraud trials and election for jury trial
    5. 5. Appeals, including unduly lenient sentences
    6. 6. Procedures for vulnerable or intimidated witnesses, including implementation of 'Speaking up for Justice' and Part II of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Bill
    7. 7. Child witnesses (excluding child defendants)-evidence and procedure in criminal proceedings
  5. E. Trials Issues Group
    1. 1. Trials Issues Group
    2. 2. Joint Performance Management
    3. 3. Police Prosecution File Standards
    4. 4. National Register of Public Service Interpreters (Home Office interest).