I have placed copies of the Criminal Justice System Northern Ireland's annual report for 2005-06 in the Libraries of both Houses, on behalf of my ministerial colleagues, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Lord Chancellor, the Attorney-General, the Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, my hon. Friend the Member for Wythenshawe and Sale, East (Paul Goggins) and the Under-Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Lewisham, East (Bridget Prentice), who sit with me on the Ministerial Criminal Justice and Policing Strategy and Delivery Group.

This year the report details progress against five themes: reducing crime; public confidence; tackling delay; diversity and equality; and reconviction rates.

The report demonstrates how the criminal justice agencies in Northern Ireland, working in partnership with one another, are striving to tackle these objectives. Key areas of success include:

the launch of the new Public Prosecution Service;

the establishment of a formal protocol between the Northern Ireland Court Service, Victim Support Northern Ireland and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children to ensure the effective support for victims and witnesses; and

Operation Clean-Up, which has overseen the removal of 4,309 untaxed vehicles in the 14 months to 31 March 2006.

The report demonstrates that all of us, from ministerial level through to front-line staff, are committed to ensuring that the criminal justice system serves the community effectively, in partnership and with integrity.