Topical Questions 2023-03-28

2023-03-28

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Neil Hudson Con
Epping Forest
Context
Concerning reports of schoolchildren becoming addicted to vaping products, disrupting their sleep patterns and leaving lessons or exams.
Although we know that vaping and e-cigarette products can reduce the harms of tobacco smoking in adults, those products are not risk free and there is an alarming popularity of vaping among under-18s, and even among primary-age children. There are concerning reports of schoolchildren becoming addicted to those products, disrupting their sleep patterns, and leaving lessons and even exams to vape. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that the Government are taking action to prevent the promotion and illegal sale of vapes to under-18s, and prosecute those who break the law in that regard?
As my hon. Friend will know, vapes can only legally be sold to those over 18 in this country. We limit nicotine content and refill bottle and tank sizes, and there are also restrictions on labelling and advertising. When there is evidence of any breaches, we expect and I know that law enforcement authorities take that seriously. More generally, given the age group we are talking about, the Department of Health and Social Care is exploring a range of new measures, particularly about addressing youth vaping, and preventing and spreading awareness of the harms.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific actions for enforcement or prosecution beyond stating existing restrictions and expectations of law enforcement.
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Steve Reed Lab Co-op
Streatham and Croydon North
Context
The Labour party announced a plan for cracking down on antisocial behaviour, but the government has only piloted these measures.
Last December, I announced Labour's plan to crack down on antisocial behaviour by forcing fly-tippers to join clean-up squads, and giving victims a voice in choosing the punishments of offenders right across the country. When the Prime Minister copied our policies, why did he shrink them down to just a handful of pilots, leaving most of the country with nothing?
Labour does not have a plan. We are the ones delivering. [Interruption.] I say to the shadow Justice Secretary that actions speak louder than words. Labour Members voted against extra money for police recruitment and they voted against tougher sentences. The Mayor of London wants to decriminalise cannabis. The hon. Gentleman says he agrees with that. The British people would have to be smoking it themselves to vote for them on law enforcement.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address the question about why pilots were chosen over nationwide measures.
Labour Does Not Have A Plan Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Steve Reed Lab Co-op
Streatham and Croydon North
Context
Offenders given community sentences have dodged over 16 million hours of unpaid work since 2014, according to the government's own data.
If the right hon. Gentleman thinks the Government are doing such a fantastic job on antisocial behaviour, perhaps he could explain this. Since 2014, according to his own Department, offenders who were given community sentences have dodged over 16 million hours of unpaid work that they were sentenced to carry out but never made to do—16 million hours. Why?
Actually, we toughened up community sentences, with community payback and a massive expansion in the number of hours. The use of electronic monitoring has meant that we can be far more secure and crack down harder when conditions are not met. If the hon. Gentleman wants to talk about crime, he can explain this: since 2010, crime has come down. It has more than halved, excluding fraud and computer misuse. Reoffending is lower than under Labour by 7%. We have also seen a massive reduction in the number of prison absconds. He talks a good game; we deliver.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address why offenders evaded unpaid work hours.
Talks A Good Game
Response accuracy
Q4 Direct Answer
Context
A constituent's brother was murdered in 2015, the perpetrator is serving a life sentence at Rochester prison which is less than three miles from where the family lives. This causes significant distress.
In 2015, my constituent's brother was brutally and senselessly murdered. The perpetrators were convicted and sent to prison. One remains in prison serving a life sentence. The family were devastated to find out that he had been moved to Rochester prison, less than three miles from where the family and extended family live and work, and close to the brother's grave. This is causing the family great distress, as an exclusion order was placed on the other perpetrator who is now on parole. Will my right hon. Friend meet me and the family to discuss the impact it is having and the distress it is causing to a local grieving family?
I thank my right hon. Friend. All our sympathies are with her constituents and the family. I will, of course, be very happy to meet her.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Context
The Casey report highlights racism not only in the police but throughout the justice system, including discrimination by judges.
The Casey report reminds us that we must be alive to racism not only in the police, but in the whole justice system. Will Ministers engage with and act on a significant report by Manchester University and a Crown court judge, which found that racial bias plays a significant role in the justice system, including discrimination by judges? The report made a series of constructive suggestions to address this issue.
I will certainly take a look at the Manchester academic report the hon. Gentleman refers to. I know, through my work with His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service and the senior judiciary, that they are very mindful of the issue he raises. It is important. Equally, we need to ensure that we are rigorous and colourblind to all crimes, and ensure that the rule of law applies across all communities. That is the best way to make sure we strengthen and reinforce public confidence in the justice system.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific engagement or action plans for addressing racial bias as outlined by the report.
Response accuracy
Q6 Direct Answer
Context
Antisocial behavior causes significant issues for many constituents, but similar announcements have been made before without much effect.
Antisocial behaviour is a source of huge frustration, irritation and inconvenience for many of our constituents so I welcome Government action, but I have to say that we have heard announcements like this before. Will the Secretary of State ensure that the justice system's response on antisocial behaviour becomes more effective, so that this week's announcement can make a real difference to people's lives?
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right and that is the focus of what the Home Secretary and the Prime Minister announced. For example, in the initial 10 police and crime commissioner areas, the ambition is for offenders to be doing reparatory work—for example, litter picking or cleaning up graffiti—in their communities within 48 hours of an offence. The powers to allow the police to drug test for a wider range of drugs, including methamphetamine, will give communities a sense of reassurance that action is being taken.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Andrew Slaughter Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
Context
A supervising officer at HMP Wormwood Scrubs was attacked, and an officer leaving Rochester Prison was threatened by an ex-prisoner.
I am concerned about the attacks on prison officers. A supervising officer at HMP Wormwood Scrubs was brutally attacked near the prison entrance last week. An officer leaving Rochester Prison was also threatened with violence. What is the Ministry of Justice doing to ensure that prison officers are safe coming and going from work?
I echo the hon. Gentleman's good wishes for the victim. Things such as the rolling out of body-worn video cameras and the sensible use of PAVA spray are important parts of ensuring that prison officers are safe.
Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked for specific measures to ensure safety, but the answer was vague without concrete details.
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Desmond Swayne Con
New Forest West
Context
The questioner is concerned about community punishments being discharged from home.
Will the Minister end the nonsense of community punishments discharged by working from home?
I am not sure that I can respond in quite the same style as my right hon. Friend. During the pandemic, being able to do certain tasks remotely or from home was a way of carrying on with unpaid work. But in general, we expect people to turn up and do that work, usually in a group setting.
Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked for action but the answer avoided specifics.
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Debbie Abrahams Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Context
A constituent's trial has been postponed three times since 2019.
I have a constituent who was a victim of historical child sexual exploitation, her trial has been postponed three times since 2019. What proportion of such cases are delayed by up to four years?
The hon. Lady raises a very serious issue. Particularly complex cases have been delayed because of the pandemic, the backlogs and the Criminal Bar Association strike. I am happy to write to her about that, and I apologise for not having done so already.
Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked for a specific percentage but the answer avoided giving one.
Response accuracy
Q10 Direct Answer
Context
A constituent was murdered and her husband convicted, due for release on licence in November.
My constituent Joanna Brown was brutally murdered by her husband who is due to be released from prison on licence. May I urge the Justice Secretary to ask the parole board to question whether such offenders should come out of prison?
My hon. Friend raises a terrible and tragic case. I will give Mr Brown's case my closest personal attention, ensuring there is maximum rigour in assessing risk to determine whether to use the new power given to me by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Context
The Joint Committee on Human Rights has found that article 8 rights are tightly restricted.
Does the Secretary of State acknowledge the findings of the Joint Committee on Human Rights stating that the UK actually has tight restrictions on article 8 rights in deportation cases?
I am afraid that I do not, but I respect the Committee. There has been pretty rampant abuse of the Human Rights Act 1998 when it comes to deporting foreign national offenders. That is what our Bill of Rights will cure.
Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked if he accepted the findings, but the answer deflected towards a new bill instead.
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
David Davis Con
Goole and Pocklington
Context
A recent investigation revealed that witnesses can be paid vast sums to appear in British courts.
Does the Government agree that the payment of such huge amounts has the potential to sway witnesses and should be outlawed?
I thank my right hon. Friend for bringing that to my attention. If he writes to me or comes to see me, I will be happy to look into it further.
Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked if the Government agrees, but the answer was vague without commitment.
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
The Joint Committee on Human Rights concluded that the Government should not proceed with a British Bill of Rights.
Does the Secretary of State agree with the JCHR's conclusion that the UK Government should not proceed with his proposed British Bill of Rights?
We showed only last week, when we brought together more than 40 countries to give effect to the International Criminal Court mandate to investigate and prosecute war crimes in Ukraine, how we are leading the charge and upholding the international rule of law. That is not helped, however, by abuses of the system.
Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked for a response but the answer was entirely unrelated to the recommendations.
Response accuracy
Q14 Direct Answer
Context
The Government accepted the Bellamy review's recommendations on criminal legal aid, including an independent advisory board.
Last year, the Government accepted the Bellamy review's recommendations on criminal legal aid. When will the Government publish the board's membership and detailed terms of reference?
I thank the Chair of the Justice Committee. They will be published very shortly.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Context
Only one in 50 rape cases gets to court, and the Secretary of State has already confirmed that it can take over two years to get a prosecution.
I am concerned about rapes following needle or drink spiking. Is the government working with clubs on surveillance, scanning and testing? Has he written to the police so people do not say 'You're drunk, love'? How many convictions have followed cases of women being raped after being spiked, including by needles?
The forensic capabilities are there, and it is illegal. It is just a question of gathering evidence to bring cases to court. Police referrals, CPS charges and Crown court receipts in adult rape cases have all increased by around 100%.
Assessment & feedback
Conviction statistics for spiked rapes were not provided
Response accuracy
Q16 Direct Answer
Context
The private Member's Bill passed through this House two weeks ago and is now in the other place.
Assuming all goes well, when does he expect my Private Member's Bill to receive Royal Assent?
Once the Bill passes through the other House, we would expect it to complete its passage here before the end of the Session.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Taiwo Owatemi Lab
Coventry North West
Context
Families are being failed by our broken court system, including in handling of domestic abuse allegations and disregard of children's voices.
What steps is the Justice Secretary taking to protect vulnerable children and ensure justice for victims?
There is a need for safeguarding in getting domestic abuse cases to court—around 55% of cases—but the best way to ensure effective handling is through mediation and avoiding duplication.
Assessment & feedback
Specific actions were not detailed
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Janet Daby Lab
Lewisham East
Context
Many police forces and local authorities have not signed up to the concordat providing protocol for transferring children out of custody.
Why are many police forces and local authorities not signing up to the concordat, and what is the Minister doing about it?
Huge efforts have been made to divert young people from the criminal justice system. The number of children in custody has fallen by 68% over the past decade, down to 438 at end-January this year compared with 1,349 in January 2013.
Assessment & feedback
Reasons for non-signatories and measures addressing it were not provided
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Context
A gripping but disturbing BBC series about the Brink's-Mat robbery has been released.
Has the Secretary of State seen 'The Gold', and does he feel that justice has been served? Is there any more justice to come?
I have not seen it, but now that 'Love Island' is over I shall transition seamlessly to watching the hon. Gentleman's suggestion.
Assessment & feedback
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q20 Partial Answer
Jim Shannon DUP
Strangford
Context
There is no information on the number of wills disputed over assets each year.
Has an assessment been made of the number of wills and estates that are disputed, and what discussions have there been with devolved Assemblies about solving issues?
I am not aware of any particular statistics on the number of wills that are contested, but I will write to the hon. Gentleman and ensure we liaise with the devolved Assemblies.
Assessment & feedback
Statistics were not provided
Response accuracy