HL Deb 11 March 2004 vol 658 cc186-7WA
Baroness Anelay of St Johns

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Who are the members of the Victims' Advisory Panel; and, where appropriate, which organisations they represent. [HL1421]

The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)

The panel consists of 10 voluntary lay members—recruited through open competition in accordance with guidelines laid down by the Commissioner for Public Appointments—who have either experienced victimisation themselves, or are family members or very close friends of murder victims.

In addition there are representatives from the following victims groups: Victim Support, Support After Murder and Manslaughter, Victims Voice and Birmingham Racial Attacks Monitoring Unit.

The panel is chaired by myself and is also attended by Chris Leslie MP, of the Department for Constitutional Affairs, and Harriet Harman MP, the Solicitor General.

The panel also includes senior representatives of the following agencies: the Crown Prosecution Service, the Department for Constitutional Affairs, the police, and the National Probation Service.

Other officials and ministers are invited as and when the agenda is relevant to their area.