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…”

“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…”

“No, not currently, Chair. If the witness is an intimidated witness or a vulnerable witness, as per the categories currently set out under the criteria, they are eligible, but it is not currently given to all domestic abuse victims.”

“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…”

“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 …”

“That is correct and I am confident to say that our impact evaluation that was independently peer-reviewed showed that there was no difference in those conviction rates, and we stand by that.”

“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…”

“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,…”

“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.”

“It is as soon as possible.”

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

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

“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.”

“Hopefully the Committee will be aware that we have increased probation funding by up to £700 million as a result of the sentencing review and the spending review, to recognise the fact that we will need more probation officers, better equipment, better training, better guidance on exactly how we can keep the public saf…”

“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, 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…”

“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, the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls in the Home Office and I have been having many trilateral meetings across government with every single Government Department involved in this. I can assure the Honourable Member that the majority of Government Departments are involved—we are even t…”

“It is. The Minister for Safeguarding and I met with the previous Economic Secretary to the Treasury on this, looking at how we look at cohabitation rights reform as well, which the Member will know was in our manifesto, looking at how we can boost cohabitation rights looking forward. That is something that we are consi…”