Criminal Defence Service (Provisional Representation Orders) Regulations 2009

The noble Lord, Lord Henley, asked me, perfectly reasonably, what the positive effects will be. I cannot add to what I said in opening: essentially, there will be a saving in time and costs, which is a good thing. However, the human dimensions are also valid. I was a witness in the infamous Jubilee Line case, where the events had taken place so far in the past that the idea of having to go in front of a jury and reveal the poverty of my memory was in itself stressful. I think that I answered two out of every three questions with, "I cannot recall". I was a minor witness, but there were hundreds of witnesses. Many of my friends who were witnesses considered it an irritating event in their lives. Clearly the victims are in a similar situation. These cases often delay justice, perfectly reasonably, because of their complexity. Securing a safe path for defendants, where they have a reasonable understanding of the range of sentencing against them after following a transparent and positive process, must be good for them. They can be sentenced, serve their punishment and then get on with their lives. The scheme will run until its sunset date in the order, which is December 2011. We will publish the results of the pilot and consider what to do from 2012 onwards. My understanding is that that will be once we have published the results of the pilot and are able to consult on it. I shall write to noble Lords if we have more precise information on how the pilot will be judged and more on the timescale. Motion agreed.