§ Vera BairdTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs if he will make a statement on the quality of video equipment used in courts. [156312]
§ Mr. LeslieAll 78 Crown court have at least one set of VHS video playback equipment and some sites have this facility in each courtroom. There are currently 388 sets installed in a total of 521 courtrooms. 269 of these 875W courtrooms also have facilities to link to remote witness rooms so that witnesses can give evidence without attending the courtroom.
154 magistrates courts are equipped with videoconferencing facilities and video playback equipment. A total of 179 courtrooms have this facility and there are 133 rooms in which vulnerable and intimidated witnesses can give remote evidence.
10 county courts and nine Immigration Appellate Authority sites have been provided with modern "stand alone" video conferencing equipment.
This equipment has been installed in courts over the past 10 years and comprises a range of different makes and models. The vast majority of magistrates court equipment has been installed within the past three years and 20 per cent. of the Crown court installations have taken place in the past 12 months. This equipment includes VHS video and DVD players together with fixed plasma display screens.
All of the video equipment in place meets current business requirements and is being used on a regular basis during hearings and trials. A comprehensive maintenance contract ensures that any reported failure of equipment is attended to as a matter of urgency. Equipment is typically serviced twice per annum.