Topical Questions 2022-10-18
2022-10-18
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The new Justice Secretary's department has faced challenges such as disruptive strikes by the Criminal Bar Association.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. The MP noted recent disruptions in criminal courts due to strike action and asked for an update on the Secretary of State's actions and priorities.
My immediate priority was to end disruptive strike action delaying justice in criminal courts. We agreed a new legal aid deal, ending strikes. The Government are resetting a constructive relationship with barristers to bring down court backlogs, providing timely justice for victims. Plans include more prison leavers fitted with GPS tags to deter reoffending and keep communities safe.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Justice Committee report called the sentence 'irredeemably flawed', highlighting severe psychological harm and adverse impact on rehabilitation.
Ten years since the abolition of the IPP, nearly 3,000 people are still in prison serving indeterminate sentences. The report calls for legislation to resentence prisoners subject to IPP sentences. Will the Secretary of State act on this recommendation?
The report has been published and we are considering it. We will respond in due course.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment or timeline for legislative action was not provided
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The Justice Secretary announced plans to monitor more criminals through GPS tagging.
Funding is available for the scheme so that constituents can have confidence in their safety. Can he assure me of this funding?
Yes, the scheme is funded and will roll out with up to 8,000 new tags. It adds extra protection and confidence to communities by knowing what tagged individuals are doing and where they are.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Recent statistics show the Crown court backlog has increased to over 61,000 cases. The need for virtual proceedings was highlighted during the pandemic.
Will the Justice Secretary update on discussions regarding more use of virtual proceedings and a full funding package to modernise courts? Does he agree this needs urgent implementation?
We are looking at better funding for cross-examination under section 28 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act. The Government have put in place measures to tackle the backlog in Crown courts, which was improving until the Bar strike. We are now optimistic it will start to decrease.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific update or agreement on urgent implementation of virtual proceedings and funding package
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP questions the Human Rights Act and refugee convention's ability to stop sending illegal migrants back to a sovereign UK military base.
Is there anything in the Human Rights Act or the convention on refugees that stops us from sending illegal migrants straight back to our sovereign military base in Cyprus?
Our proposals to process people in Rwanda are compliant with both UN and European conventions. There is nothing in those laws preventing us from carrying out our proposed policy.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
A teenage girl in the MP's constituency was sexually assaulted by two schoolboys. The CPS stated there was sufficient evidence but would drop the case due to prejudicing future cases.
Is this justice? What message does it send to women and girls across England and Wales?
I will look into that specific case. The hon. Lady highlights the importance of police and CPS working closely to develop case files going forward. We are already seeing results in more charges and convictions through Operation Soteria.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific statement on dropping cases or their impact on justice for victims
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q7
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP welcomed the DWP having a dedicated team in his constituency for ex-offender employment.
May I seek assurances that this collaborative work between MOJ and DWP will continue?
Absolutely, it is a priority for the Government to increase employment rates of prison leavers. We work closely with DWP via its network of prison work coaches and are committed to improving access to universal credit.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The Justice Secretary's predecessor attempted to exclude the Government from the protections on free speech in a previous Bill of Rights. The question concerns whether this exclusion should continue if the Bill is reintroduced.
Before shelving the Bill of Rights, my predecessor attempted to exclude the Government from the protections on free speech. Does the current Justice Secretary agree that if the Bill returns in some form at a later date, the Government should not seek to impose on others rules they are unwilling to accept themselves?
We will always make sure that we are working within the rule of law, including internationally. We are committed to bringing forward proposals that protect freedom of speech and ensure we deal with attempts at prosecution and shutting down debate around the world.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment on whether government should be exempt from free speech protections in future iterations of Bill of Rights
Committed To Proposals Within Rule Of Law
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
There is a crisis with small boats attempting to enter the UK, leading to significant reforms being proposed. The question asks what plan the government has in this regard.
We cannot get a grip on the small boats crisis without reforming the Human Rights Act. What is the Government's plan?
The Government can tackle that significant problem within the current law. We believe our proposals are within the law, despite pending judicial reviews.
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Assessment & feedback
Plan for reforming asylum system and Human Rights Act to address small boat crisis
Within Current Law
Commitment To Existing Conventions
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
There is an increase in drugs and knife crime in Slough, leading to concerns about policing resources and court backlogs.
My constituency has been hit by a spate of drugs and knife crime. Given current justice backlogs caused by Conservative Governments closing courts since 2010, what reassurances can the Secretary of State give that victims will not have to wait up to four years for their day in court?
Getting on top of that core backlog is a key piece of work. We lost almost two years through covid and the Bar strike, but we are making sure communities are safe through measures like tagging schemes.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific reassurances about reducing waiting times for trials due to backlogs
Lost Time Through Strikes
Community Safety Measures
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
Stoke-on-Trent has been affected by drugs, particularly monkey dust. I am calling for monkey dust to be reclassified as a class A drug. Will my hon. Friend update the House on what action the Government are taking to increase penalties for trading in these drugs?
The Government keep matters under review and there are already significant penalties, with a maximum penalty of four years for supplying class B drugs.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions to increase penalties for trading in monkey dust
Matters Under Review
Current Penalties
Response accuracy
Q12
Direct Answer
The criminal, family, and probate courts are all seeing backlogs. One constituent's divorce case was moved to Suffolk due to the London housing situation. What action is being taken to increase the pace of dealing with such cases?
The Government have invested £324 million over three years to reduce backlog in family courts. There are serious delays with 10% of probate cases, which we are working on at speed.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
Colin Pitchfork, a double child killer and rapist, was recently released despite his case being referred back to the Parole Board. The Government committed to reviewing the parole system in March. Will the Minister update on progress so such cases do not happen again?
The Government are committed to a root-and-branch reform of the Parole Board. It now falls to the Parole Board to review Pitchfork's detention.
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Assessment & feedback
Current status and progress on parole system review
Parole Board'S Responsibility
Reform Commitment
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
I have repeatedly raised the anguish of constituents whose children were murdered in the Manchester Arena terror attack. Despite multiple promises, no legislative change has been made to allow families to register their children's death under current law. Why?
The Government are committed to finding a route through the legal blockage that prevents families from registering their children's death. I will bring forward a solution as soon as possible.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific legislative changes allowing registration of terror attack victims' deaths
Legal Blockage
Solution Commitment
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
The Telegraph reported cases of babies born alive but recorded as stillbirths, preventing coroners from investigating. The Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths Act 2019 required a report on amending the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.
Why has it still not happened since three and a half years ago that my Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration etc) Act 2019 required the Secretary of State to prepare a report on how the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 could be amended?
The Government are still reviewing those recommendations and looking forward to bringing forward methods, with the Chief Coroner, on how we can address that backlog.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline or mechanism not provided
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
The all-party group on miscarriages of justice chaired by Barry Sheerman and the Chair of the Justice Committee needs reform.
Will the new team look at the way we handle miscarriages of justice in this country? Will they look at the report from the all-party group on miscarriages of justice, which is chaired by me and the Chair of the Justice Committee, the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Sir Robert Neill), and help us to reform the way in which we treat miscarriages of justice?
I will very happily have a look at that report and I am happy to talk to the hon. Member and his co-chairman in due course as well.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific timeline or review plan not provided
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government abandoned their Bill of Rights, stating it was a 'complete mess', because it sought to stay within the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights while ignoring its judgments.
Is that still the Government's position and, if so, how will they stop their next attempt also being a complete mess?
I would refer the hon. Gentleman to answers I gave earlier. I have extensively outlined the position on the Bill of Rights.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific stance not provided; referred elsewhere without details
Referred Elsewhere
Response accuracy
Q18
Partial Answer
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Context
Open prisons in constituencies such as North Sea Camp play a role but inmates often cause concern to residents. There is a need for engagement with the Prison Service and Parole Board.
Would the Minister join me in encouraging both the Prison Service and the Parole Board to engage with local communities so that they can understand what they do to make sure local communities are kept as safe as possible?
I am very happy to do so. Open prisons play a vital part in rehabilitation of offenders; I am more than happy to ensure they have understanding and commitment from local communities.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific engagement strategy not provided
Response accuracy