PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Courts: Video Conferencing (2 December 2014)

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department has determined the technology and security specifications required for new remote video links to ensure they are compatible with any future roll-out of pre-recording evidence; and when he plans to make these specifications available to local police and crime commissioners.

Asked by:
Emma Lewell (Labour)

My officials will be engaging with local Criminal Justice Boards and with Police and Crime Commissioners concerning the identification of funding and suitable sites for the operation of remote video links for witnesses. Part of this work will involve liaising with those procuring the equipment.

The pre-recorded cross-examination pilot (section 28 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999) is being evaluated. Ministers will make a decision on rollout of the scheme once the interim evaluation reports are available in March 2015. The technical and security specifications will be agreed following that decision.

Answered by:
Shailesh Vara (Conservative)
5 December 2014