Written question asked by George Turner (Labour) on Monday, 14 December 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 January 1999. It was answered by Lord Boateng (Labour) on Monday, 18 January 1999 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, What measures he will introduce to protect witnesses and victims from being intimidated against giving evidence.

Answer: Dr. George Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he will introduce to protect witnesses and victims from being intimidated against giving evidence. [64367] Mr. Boateng: The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Bill, introduced on 3 December 1998 includes a range of practical measures to protect vulnerable or intimidated witnesses and assist them to give their best evidence. These were recommended in the report of the Working Group on Vulnerable or Intimidated Witnesses which we published for consultation last June. The implementation of these measures, together with those recommendations which do not require legislation will be taken forward by an Interdepartmental Steering Group which has already started work.

Secondary information