HC Deb 25 November 2002 vol 395 cc96-7W
Miss Mcintosh

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to amend the treatment of hearsay evidence. [80499]

Hilary Benn

Under the proposals set out in the Government White Paper, "Justice for All", we will allow reported evidence, 'hearsay', to be included in criminal proceedings if there is a good reason for the original maker not to be able to give evidence personally (e.g. through illness or death); or where records have been reliably compiled by businesses. In these circumstances, the evidence should automatically go in. The courts would also have the powers to decide that other evidence of this sort can be given, with certain safeguards.

Furthermore, under these reforms, witnesses' previous and original statements would be more widely admissible at trials in order to make it easier for them to give their evidence.