§ Mr. LyonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he will publish the Government's response to the criminal justice review. [14740]
§ Mr. BrowneA draft Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill and implementation plan were published today and copies have been placed in the Library. Copies of both documents are also available on the Northern Ireland Office website, along with the outcome of an equality screening exercise.
Many of the recommendations will be implemented through the legislation. The implementation plan sets out the programme of work required to implement the criminal justice review, the time scale for this and who 517W will be responsible for taking it forward. It also states that the Government's target is to devolve policing and justice after the Assembly elections scheduled for May 2003.
There will now be a period of consultation before the legislation is introduced in Parliament. Subject to the outcome of consultation, it is expected that the legislation will be introduced in this Session.