§ 33. Mr. HeppellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures is he taking to ensure that witnesses in magistrates courts are adequately protected. [103994]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeIn February 1999, we asked Victim Support to replicate in magistrates courts the excellent support service for victims and witnesses they were already providing, with Home Office funding, at all Crown Court centres. The annual Home Office grant to Victim Support is being increased incrementally by 50 per cent. to £19 million to enable them to establish witness support services in all magistrates courts by April 2002.