Speeches by Davies-Jones.

“It is listening, primarily, to those on the ground operating this day to day, whether that be victims directly, the sector, the CPS, the judiciary, HMCTS, all our represented stakeholders here. It is important that we make sure that we have the best technological equipment, as I have already said, so that this evidence…”

“I heard this come up in the previous evidence session. It is not something we have currently, no, but you will be aware of the Leveson review, as I have already said, in terms of how we improve the backlog in our Crown Courts, specifically for those who are victims of specific cases that we know are taking far too long…”

“He will know that this is a contract we inherited from the previous Government and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on contract arrangements with a private contractor. However, I can reassure him that his comments will be passed on to the Prisons Minister and the new Lord Chancellor, who is now in place, t…”

“I judge the success of section 28 by having more victims and survivors engaged in the process not wanting to drop out of the criminal justice system. If it means the difference between a vulnerable witness wanting to stay engaged and wanting to give their evidence than them pulling out altogether, to me that is a succe…”

“As I have already outlined, we have no plans to expand the scope of eligibility nor plans to reduce eligibility for it at the present. We want to make sure that we get how it is currently operating right and effective for victims and for the whole criminal justice process. We want to get it right and we want to get it …”

“Not so much resource or capacity, it is more that we want to understand how best it is being used currently and make sure that we get it to the right place for existing cohorts of victims rather than expanding it or reducing it.”

“Our impact evaluation on section 28 has shown some real benefits to victims. Rape Crisis England and Wales has said that having access to section 28 has meant a victim being engaged in the criminal justice process and choosing to stay and seek a criminal prosecution or not. That speaks volumes, especially when we know …”

“The Bill does have a presumption to suspend short sentences. However, it is important to note here that in his review of the sentencing review it was outlined that presumption against short sentences does not necessarily mean for all cases. There will be judicial discretion here. In cases of domestic abuse or stalking,…”

“I think that if section 28 is the best way of giving evidence for that vulnerable or intimidated witness, we should be looking at how best to keep them engaged in the criminal justice system. If it means the difference between them giving their evidence and it getting to court rather than them pulling out of the system…”

“It is a very ambitious target. As you said, it is a huge undertaking and one that we are not doing lightly. We have delayed the strategy and we are working across government to get it to the right place to publish as soon as possible. The spending review was recently conducted, as you will be aware. Now each Department…”

“Yes, it has indeed looked at this and I have had quite a lot of engagement with the Law Commission, with the sector and with Professor Katrin Hohl, who was your previous witness on this specifically on the bad character evidence. I have also had quite a lot of representation from parliamentarians on this issue. We are …”

“This is something that we are currently looking at. However, there may be many reasons why the judge in question chooses not to apply the special measures and it is important that the judge has the discretion there in each specific case. We of course have made sure that vulnerable witnesses and those who are intimidate…”

“I want to publish it as soon as possible, but we want to get it right. We do not want to have to revise it or it not being received well by women and girls, the country, the sector. It has to be right. I do not want to say that this is our one chance, but it is a strategy that will outline the direction of Government p…”

“Yes, it will be looking at special measures as part of the efficacy.”

“It is as soon as possible.”

“Yes, so a DAPO or a non-molestation order, for example, if there is a breach of that protective order, a short custodial sentence can still be imposed.”

“No, we have no current scope to expand the criteria from which victims are eligible to use section 28 or other special measures. We are keen, as you will have heard, to make sure that the existing cohort is able to access the measures in the best possible way, via the best digital audio and video equipment available, a…”

“Yes, absolutely. You mentioned the CPS. We have been working closely with the Office of the Solicitor General and the CPS specifically on this, and there is now a payment available to these barristers, an extra £1,000 if they take part in the pre-trial evidence hearings, to make that more attractive for them to be able…”

“No, it does not need primary legislation to do that.”

“Or depending on how you were using that flag, that marker, it could just be through guidance to probation officers or to the prison service in terms of how they apply that. So it will vary, but it is not a primary legislative thing, in our view.”