Domestic Violence Victims: Cross-Examination Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Domestic Violence Victims: Cross-Examination

Susan Elan Jones Excerpts
Monday 9th January 2017

(7 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Oliver Heald Portrait Sir Oliver Heald
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I pay tribute to the work that the hon. Lady has done on this issue. I chair the Family Justice Board with the Minister for Vulnerable Children and Families. We are committed to improving the overall way in which the courts work and are in the process of introducing a new practice direction in the area of victims. This is certainly a point we are very much alive to.

Susan Elan Jones Portrait Susan Elan Jones (Clwyd South) (Lab)
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Everyone who has spoken today, including the Minister, has said the situation is urgent. In view of that and the fact that he said primary legislation will be needed, is there any reason why he cannot commit to the Government presenting that within three or four months?

Oliver Heald Portrait Sir Oliver Heald
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As I have said, we are keen to complete this review as a matter of urgency. The legislative programme is a complex matter at the moment for reasons I have hinted at, so we will have to see what is possible, but we would like to tackle this urgently.