Petitions
Monday 12 January 2009
Health
Health Services (Cornwall)
The Petition of residents of Cornwall, and others,
Declares the Petitioners’ concern that the Pharmacy White Paper could result in many rural practices having to stop dispensing medicines to their patients; and further declares that the dispensing of medicines by such practices is often vital to patients who live in more isolated areas.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State for Health to protect the rural dispensing of medicines.
And the Petitioners remain, etc. —[Presented by Mr. Mark Prisk , Official Report, 19 November 2008; Vol. 483, c. 333.]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Health:
The consultation on a number of proposals for legislative and structural reform to National Health Service pharmaceutical services arising from the White Paper Pharmacy in England: Building on strengths—delivering the future closed on 20th November 2008.
As part of this consultation, we put forward options for possible reform of GP dispensing arrangements on which we sought views. We are aware of the strength of the responses we received on the various options for amending the criteria for dispensing by doctors. We have taken into account the views expressed and have announced that there will be no change to the current arrangements on GPs dispensing medicines to their patients.
Justice
Criminal Convictions
The Petition of Phil Faber and others,
Declares that too many people are wrongly convicted because the law allows too much weight to be given to the word of one or more people, without other more tangible evidence to support the conviction; believes it is wrong that the jury only have to be persuaded that the defendant is guilty, and that this leaves the system open
to abuse and puts people at risk of being convicted because someone has lied to the court or is innocently wrong in their assertions, and the person who tells the lie and secures the conviction can then claim compensation from the Criminal Injury Compensation Board.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to ensure that people are not normally convicted when the only evidence is the word of one or more persons.
And the Petitioners remain, etc. —[Presented by Bob Spink , Official Report, 22 October 2008; Vol. 481, c. 416.]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Justice:
The Government is satisfied that the law provides adequate safeguards for those accused of an offence where the evidence is uncorroborated and has the following observations to make.
One of the key features of a criminal trial is that the defence have the opportunity to test the prosecution’s evidence by cross-examination. Furthermore, in criminal proceedings the prosecution must prove that the accused is guilty beyond reasonable doubt—a very high standard of proof. Additionally the judge has the discretion, where the evidence is uncorroborated and there are concerns that it is unreliable, to warn the jury to exercise caution whenever he or she considers it appropriate to do so, whether in respect of an accomplice or a complainant or any other witness.
The Crown Prosecution Service takes decisions to prosecute with great care. When prosecutors make charging decisions they must apply the test in the Code for Crown Prosecutors. The evidential stage of the test requires that Crown Prosecutors must be satisfied that there is enough evidence to provide a “realistic prospect of conviction” against each defendant on each charge. Also when deciding whether there is enough evidence to prosecute, Crown Prosecutors must consider whether the evidence can be used and is reliable. Amongst the questions that they should consider is whether there are concerns over the accuracy or credibility of a witness.
Uncorroborated Evidence Care Warnings
Section 32 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 abolished the rule that a trial judge must warn the jury of the dangers of acting on the uncorroborated evidence of an alleged accomplice or victim of a sexual offence. However judges still retain the discretion to warn the jury to exercise caution whenever they consider it appropriate to do so, whether in respect of an accomplice or a complainant or any other witness.
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