Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Tuesday 28 March 2023 · 20 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 5 Partly answered 10 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Neil Hudson asked about the popularity of vaping among under-18s, and the Minister responded by outlining existing restrictions on the sale, nicotine content, and advertising of e-cigarettes.
  • Steve Reed questioned the Prime Minister about Labour's antisocial behavior policies, and the Minister defended the Government's actions, claiming they are delivering results while criticizing Labour's policies.
  • Kelly Tolhurst raised concerns about a constituent's brother's murderer being moved to a prison near the family's home, and the Minister expressed sympathy and offered to meet with Tolhurst.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Neil Hudson Con Epping Forest
Context

Concerning reports of schoolchildren becoming addicted to vaping products, disrupting their sleep patterns and leaving lessons or exams.

Question

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?

Answer from Dominic Raab

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions for enforcement or prosecution beyond stating existing restrictions and expectations of law enforcement.

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Q2 Steve Reed Labour (Co-op) Streatham and Croydon North
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement Community Security
Context

The Labour party announced a plan for cracking down on antisocial behaviour, but the government has only piloted these measures.

Question

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?

Answer from Dominic Raab

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.

Not addressed: Did not address the question about why pilots were chosen over nationwide measures.

How: Labour Does Not Have A Plan, Actions Speak Louder Than Words

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Q3 Steve Reed Labour (Co-op) Streatham and Croydon North
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Offenders given community sentences have dodged over 16 million hours of unpaid work since 2014, according to the government's own data.

Question

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?

Answer from Dominic Raab

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.

Not addressed: Did not address why offenders evaded unpaid work hours.

How: Talks A Good Game

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Q4 Kelly Tolhurst Con
Justice & Courts
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Damian Hinds

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.

Answered
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Q5 Stuart McDonald SNP
Justice & Courts
Context

The Casey report highlights racism not only in the police but throughout the justice system, including discrimination by judges.

Question

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.

Answer from Dominic Raab

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific engagement or action plans for addressing racial bias as outlined by the report.

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Q6 Theresa Villiers Con
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Antisocial behavior causes significant issues for many constituents, but similar announcements have been made before without much effect.

Question

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?

Answer from Dominic Raab

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.

Answered
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Q7 Andrew Slaughter Lab Hammersmith and Chiswick
Justice & Courts
Context

A supervising officer at HMP Wormwood Scrubs was attacked, and an officer leaving Rochester Prison was threatened by an ex-prisoner.

Question

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?

Answer from Damian Hinds

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for specific measures to ensure safety, but the answer was vague without concrete details.

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Q8 Desmond Swayne Con New Forest West
Crime & Law Enforcement Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The questioner is concerned about community punishments being discharged from home.

Question

Will the Minister end the nonsense of community punishments discharged by working from home?

Answer from Damian Hinds

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for action but the answer avoided specifics.

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Q9 Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth
Justice & Courts Safeguarding & DBS
Context

A constituent's trial has been postponed three times since 2019.

Question

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?

Answer from Dominic Raab

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for a specific percentage but the answer avoided giving one.

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Q10 Adam Afriyie Con
Justice & Courts
Context

A constituent was murdered and her husband convicted, due for release on licence in November.

Question

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?

Answer from Dominic Raab

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.

Answered
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Q11 Alan Brown SNP
Immigration Justice & Courts Standards & Ethics
Context

The Joint Committee on Human Rights has found that article 8 rights are tightly restricted.

Question

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?

Answer from Dominic Raab

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.

Not addressed: The questioner asked if he accepted the findings, but the answer deflected towards a new bill instead.

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Q12 David Davis Con Goole and Pocklington
Justice & Courts
Context

A recent investigation revealed that witnesses can be paid vast sums to appear in British courts.

Question

Does the Government agree that the payment of such huge amounts has the potential to sway witnesses and should be outlawed?

Answer from Dominic Raab

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked if the Government agrees, but the answer was vague without commitment.

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Q13 Deidre Brock SNP
Ukraine Democracy & Elections
Context

The Joint Committee on Human Rights concluded that the Government should not proceed with a British Bill of Rights.

Question

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?

Answer from Dominic Raab

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.

Not addressed: The questioner asked for a response but the answer was entirely unrelated to the recommendations.

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Q14 Bob Neill Con
Justice & Courts
Context

The Government accepted the Bellamy review's recommendations on criminal legal aid, including an independent advisory board.

Question

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?

Answer from Dominic Raab

I thank the Chair of the Justice Committee. They will be published very shortly.

Answered
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Q15 Geraint Davies Lab
Crime & Law Enforcement
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Dominic Raab

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%.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Conviction statistics for spiked rapes were not provided

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Q16 Stephen Metcalfe Con
Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The private Member's Bill passed through this House two weeks ago and is now in the other place.

Question

Assuming all goes well, when does he expect my Private Member's Bill to receive Royal Assent?

Answer from Mike Freer

Once the Bill passes through the other House, we would expect it to complete its passage here before the end of the Session.

Answered
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Q17 Taiwo Owatemi Lab Coventry North West
Justice & Courts Safeguarding & DBS
Context

Families are being failed by our broken court system, including in handling of domestic abuse allegations and disregard of children's voices.

Question

What steps is the Justice Secretary taking to protect vulnerable children and ensure justice for victims?

Answer from Dominic Raab

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions were not detailed

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Q18 Janet Daby Lab Lewisham East
Policing & Resources Justice & Courts
Context

Many police forces and local authorities have not signed up to the concordat providing protocol for transferring children out of custody.

Question

Why are many police forces and local authorities not signing up to the concordat, and what is the Minister doing about it?

Answer from Dominic Raab

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Reasons for non-signatories and measures addressing it were not provided

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Q19 Barry Sheerman Lab
Crime & Law Enforcement Culture, Media & Sport
Context

A gripping but disturbing BBC series about the Brink's-Mat robbery has been released.

Question

Has the Secretary of State seen 'The Gold', and does he feel that justice has been served? Is there any more justice to come?

Answer from Dominic Raab

I have not seen it, but now that 'Love Island' is over I shall transition seamlessly to watching the hon. Gentleman's suggestion.

How: Changing Subject

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Q20 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Context

There is no information on the number of wills disputed over assets each year.

Question

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?

Answer from Mike Freer

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Statistics were not provided

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