HC Deb 05 December 2001 vol 376 c318W
6. Mr. Miller

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the criminal justice review. [18097]

10. Sandra Osborne

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the criminal justice review. [18103]

12. Mr. Borrow

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the criminal justice review. [18105]

27. Jean Corston

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent action the Government have taken to improve confidence in the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland. [18121]

Mr. Browne

We have published a draft Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill and an implementation plan to take forward the recommendations of the review of the criminal justice system. We are consulting on our response to the review and expect to introduce the legislation in this Session. Our response to the review marks another key step in implementing the Belfast Agreement.

This was the most important review of its kind to have been undertaken in Northern Ireland in the last 30 years. The criminal justice system has served the people of Northern Ireland well over many years, often in very difficult circumstances. The review is radical and progressive, maintaining the best of the old system while integrating applicable international concepts and practices.

I want to ensure that everyone interested in the future of criminal justice in Northern Ireland has adequate opportunity to have their say and to contribute to the effectiveness of our proposals. I am therefore extending the period of consultation by a further four weeks to 7 January 2001.