§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. David Blunkett)My right hon. Friends the Lord Chancellor, the Attorney General and I have today jointly issued a short summary document about the measures we have already taken, and are planning, to improve services and support to victims and witnesses of48WS crime. The paper, entitled "A Better Deal for Victims and Witnesses", also highlights those parts of the Criminal Justice Bill, introduced today, which will benefit directly victims of crime. Our programme of reform is guided by a single clear priority—to rebalance the criminal justice system in favour of the victim and the community so as to reduce crime and bring more offenders to justice.
Copies of the summary document have been placed in the Vote Office and the Library.