Written question asked by Claire Curtis-Thomas (Labour) on Tuesday, 24 February 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 February 2009. It was answered by Maria Eagle (Labour) on Thursday, 5 March 2009 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Witnesses: Interviews

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what research his Department has conducted into provision for interviews with (a) witnesses and (b) vulnerable witnesses since 2002.

Answer: Neither the Home Office nor the Ministry of Justice have published research on witnesses in general.The Home Office has published the following research since 2002 about special measures for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses which included consideration of the interview stage in relation to the use of video recorded statements admitted as evidence-in-chief:""Are special measures working? Evidence from surveys of vulnerable and intimidated witnesses" Hamlyn B, Phelps A, Turtle J and Sattar G (London: Home Office Research Study No.283; June 2004) Available at:""http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs04/hors283.pdf"""Are special measures for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses working? Evidence from the criminal justice agencies" Burton M, Evans R and Sanders A (Home Office Online Report 01/06) Available at:""http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs06/rdsolr0106.pdf"Additionally the Ministry of Justice has published the following research about the intermediary special measure which can be used at the interview stage:""The 'Go-Between': evaluation of intermediary pathfinder projects" Plotnikoff J and Woolfson R (London: Ministry of Justice Research Summary No. 1; June 2007)."Summary available at:"http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/RS-int-pathfinders-projects.pdf"Full report at:"http://lexiconlimited.co.uk/PDF%20files/Intermediaries_study_report.pdf"

Secondary information