Parliamentary Questions
Posted by News Editor
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
On the 9th November Claire Curtis Thomas asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many investigating officers were appointed by the Criminal Cases Review Commission during the period from 31 March 2003 to 31 March 2004; and how many cases were investigated during this period.
Fiona Mactaggart (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Home Office) replied
As at 31 March 2004 the Criminal Cases Review Commission had 47 case review managers (CRMs) in post. Two CRMs were appointed between 1 April 2003 and 31 March 2004 and there were five departures. During the period, 901 cases were completed and 885 new cases were received. The Commission also appointed five investigating officers under section 19 of the Criminal Appeal Act 1995 between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004 to investigate six cases. There was also one ongoing investigation in the same period which involved one investigating officer investigating three cases.
On the 14th November Claire Curtis-Thomas (Crosby, Lab) asked the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will take steps to accredit medical experts who give evidence in trials.
Harriet Harman (Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs) replied
It would not be appropriate for a medical expert to be certified as meeting required standards for the purpose of giving evidence in a specific area of expertise, given the wide range of subject areas and substrands on which such a witness might be called to give expert testimony. It is for the trial judge to determine if any witness being called to give expert evidence, including medical evidence, has acquired by study or experience sufficient knowledge of the particular subject to render his opinion of value in resolving the issues before the court.