HC Deb 25 June 2003 vol 407 c878W
Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his timetable is for(a) consultation in preparation for the Victims and Witnesses Bill, (b) the publication of a draft Bill and (c) the publication of the Bill itself. [118788]

Paul Goggins

One of our 2001 manifesto commitments was to legislate for a Victims and Witnesses Bill during the course of this Parliament.

Since October 2001, officials from across government have been working with the voluntary sector and other interested organisations to develop measures which will lead to the delivery of nationally consistent, high quality services to victims, and put their interests closer to the heart of the criminal justice system.

The draft Bill will be published, and subsequently introduced, as soon as parliamentary time allows.