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Criminal Proceedings: Ethnic Groups

Question for Ministry of Justice

UIN HL7036, tabled on 20 July 2020

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the reply by Lord Keen of Elie on 15 July (HL Deb, cols 1659–61), how the situation of Black and other minority ethnic defendants, including those from Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities, will be taken into account in (1) the membership, and (2) the terms of reference, of the Royal Commission on criminal justice.

Answered on

4 August 2020

The Government is committed to a justice system that is fair, open and accessible to all.

In defining the terms of reference and membership of the Royal Commission, we are taking into account the need for the Commission to understand effectively the experiences of all those that engage with the criminal justice system. This will of course need to include taking account issues of race and the experiences of Black and other minority ethnic people, including those from Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities.

Further details will be announced in due course.