§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Solicitor-General what targets were set by the CPS in 2002–03 on meeting the needs of victims and witnesses in the criminal justice system, in co-operation with other criminal justice agencies; and what the performance results are of these targets. [128719]
§ The Solicitor-GeneralMeeting the needs of victims and witnesses in the criminal justice system, in co-operation with other criminal justice agencies was a specific Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) objective in 2002-03 and is set out in the 2002-03 CPS Annual Report.
Two targets were set: firstly, to pay 100 per cent. of correctly completed witness expense claims within 10 days; and secondly, to increase to 94 per cent. the proportion of replies to complaints within 10 days.
494WIn respect of the first target, CPS performance improved compared with 2001–02. During 2002–03, 99.8 per cent. of witness expenses were paid within agreed timescales compared with 98.2 per cent. in 2001–02.
The second target was not met, although CPS performance improved considerably compared with 2001–02. Timely replies were made in 89.2 per cent. of cases in 2002–03, compared with 81.9 per cent. of cases in 2001–02.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Solicitor-General what steps the Crown Prosection Service has taken to improve the service to(a) victims and (b) witnesses of crime. [128858]
§ The Solicitor-GeneralThe Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is working to improve the service that victims and witnesses of crime receive. This includes working with the Home Office and other criminal justice system agencies in developing the Government's recently published national strategy to deliver improved services to victims and witnesses.
The CPS has fully implemented the direct communication with victims initiative, whereby prosecutors provide reasons to victims for decisions to drop or substantially alter charges. A meeting to provide a further explanation should also be offered in cases involving death, child abuse, sexual offences, racial offences or offences with a homophobic element.
In relation to vulnerable or intimidated witnesses, the CPS is continuing to work closely with the Home Office and others to implement measures recommended in the report Speaking up for Justice, given statutory force by the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999. In July 2002, video recorded statements became admissible as evidence in chief in crown court proceedings for children under 17 and for vulnerable adults. In the crown court, the provision to give evidence by way of TV link is also available to children, vulnerable adults and intimidated witnesses. The CPS undertook a comprehensive training programme to ensure that staff were fully aware of the issues raised by the new measures. By March 2003, over 1000 CPS staff had been trained.
In relation to general victim and witness care, the CPS is working with ACPO and the Office for Public Service Reform on piloting a Victim and Witness Care Project that builds on the developing working relationship between the police and the CPS. Five pilot Areas (Gwent, North Wales, West Midlands, Essex and South Yorkshire) were established in July 2003. The pilot will run until March 2004.
In all pilot Areas, police officers will undertake a needs assessment for all victims and witnesses. If criminal proceedings are commenced, dedicated witness care staff will manage delivery of information and support to witnesses throughout the life of a case.
The CPS has also been conducting a public consultation on whether prosecutors should be permitted to conduct pre-trial interviews with prosecution witnesses in order to assess their reliability.
495WThe consultation period ended on 2 1 July 2003 and the report is due to be placed before the Attorney-General in the autumn of 2003.