Part of Criminal Justice Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 11:15 am on 28 January 2003.
Michael Wills
Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office) (Criminal Justice System IT)
11:15,
28 January 2003
I am very conscious that I have about a minute before the end of the sitting, so I shall return to this important issue after lunch. I understand the concerns raised by the hon. Gentleman and the hon. Member for North Down; and I shall answer the hon. Lady at greater length this afternoon. However, I assure the Committee that we take those considerations extremely seriously, and we shall look for its support. Our starting point is that the Bill would support victims as witnesses to a far greater extent. Indeed, Clause 100(2)(e) replaces and extends powers under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 to admit
statements of frightened witnesses because we share the concerns that the hon. Gentleman and the hon. Lady articulated so eloquently.
It being twenty-five minutes past Eleven o'clock, The Chairman adjourned the Committee without Question put, pursuant to the Standing Order.
Adjourned till this day at half-past Two o'clock.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
