Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Tuesday 16 May 2023 · 17 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 9 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Maggie Throup welcomed the Justice Secretary and inquired about further actions regarding child protection measures in the Online Safety Bill.
  • Steve Reed questioned the Secretary of State on the handling of dangerous criminals and prison capacity issues.
  • Chris Law welcomed the Justice Secretary and asked about the effectiveness of non-custodial sentences for certain crimes.
  • Philip Hollobone inquired about the number of probate cases awaiting decisions for over seven weeks and measures to speed up the process.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Maggie Throup Con
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts

Question

May I welcome my right hon. and learned Friend the Justice Secretary to his rightful place? In welcoming the measures designed to protect children in the Government's Online Safety Bill, will my right hon. and learned Friend outline what further action his Department is taking in relation to the criminal justice system to improve prosecution rates for serious offences involving minors, particularly in relation to sex offenders who target young people online?

Answer from Alex Chalk

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise this point. The Government have invested significantly in new capabilities for law enforcement, including our specially trained network of undercover online officers, to arrest offenders committing online child sexual abuse. Co-ordinated National Crime Agency and policing activity against those offenders is currently resulting in over 800 arrests per month, and we have also delivered a further £4.5 million for organisations supporting victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.

Answered
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Q2 Steve Reed Labour (Co-op) Streatham and Croydon North
Crime & Law Enforcement

Question

I am delighted to welcome the Secretary of State to his place for the second day running. I have been reading his speeches with interest. He once said the Conservatives should “do away with the argument that…we are somehow soft on crime.”—[Official Report, 2 July 2018; Vol. 644, c. 90.] Is it not “soft” to tell judges that they cannot lock up dangerous criminals?

Answer from Alex Chalk

Let us just get a few things absolutely clear. We believe in criminals spending longer in custody. It is strange that when there was the opportunity to vote for rapists and serious violent criminals to spend two thirds of their sentence in custody, the hon. Gentleman voted against that. Indeed, I happen to remember, from when I was at the Bar, that his party did exactly the same in the Criminal Justice Act 2003. Whereas previously, people serving sentences over four years would serve two thirds of their sentence in custody, they cut it to half: soft on crime, soft on the causes of crime.

Not addressed: The questioner's statement about judges' inability to lock up dangerous criminals was not directly addressed.

How: He Redirected The Conversation To A Previous Vote By The Opposition.

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Q3 Steve Reed Labour (Co-op) Streatham and Croydon North
Justice & Courts

Question

I am wondering whether the Secretary of State's handover was a little rushed, because his predecessor wrote to judges and told them not to lock up dangerous criminals, because the Government have run out of prison places. That sounds soft to me, because it tells criminals they can get away with crime. Will he withdraw the letter and tell judges to lock up criminals who deserve to be behind bars?

Answer from Alex Chalk

Well, criminals do deserve to be behind bars, which is why I am proud of the fact that when it comes to rape, which is an appalling crime that robs innocence and destroys lives, we have ensured that criminals convicted of that offence get prison sentences a third longer than they did in 2010. I am pleased to be able to record that the numbers convicted of that appalling offence, in the last 12 months for which figures are available, are 10% higher than under the Labour Government.

Not addressed: The questioner's request for withdrawal of a letter and instructions to judges was not addressed directly.

How: He Shifted Focus To Sentencing Lengths For Rape.

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Q4 Jonathan Gullis
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Sharlotte-Sky, a six-year-old girl from Norton Green, tragically lost her life due to the perpetrator refusing consent to blood samples being tested until the last minute.

Question

I have raised before in the House the case of Sharlotte-Sky, a six-year-old girl who tragically lost her life in Norton Green when her killer was driving his vehicle while speeding and on his phone, and with drink and drugs in his system. It took Sharlotte's mother, Claire, over a year to get her justice because the perpetrator refused to give consent to his blood samples being tested until the very last minute. Will my right hon. and learned Friend support my campaign for Sharlotte's law, which would reform section 7A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to take away the need for consent when death has occurred because of a motor vehicle?

Answer from Alex Chalk

I express my sincere condolences and deep sorrow to the family of my hon. Friend's young constituent. As he knows, the provisions in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 fulfilled our long-standing commitment to increase the maximum penalty from 14 years to life imprisonment for the offence of causing death by dangerous driving. The Department for Transport is considering the publication of a call for evidence on motoring offences. While work is continuing as to its precise scope and timing, it is expected to include aspects of drink and drug driving and the failure to stop and report, with the opportunity to raise other matters. I encourage my hon. Friend to write to me and the Secretary of State for Transport, and I would be happy to discuss these matters further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about Sharlotte's law was not addressed directly.

How: He Redirected Attention To Ongoing Work On Motoring Offences.

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Q5 Chris Law SNP Dundee Central
Justice & Courts
Context

Former Prime Minister John Major recently stated that many short sentences are pointless and a non-custodial sentence would be more effective.

Question

I welcome the Justice Secretary to his place. Does his agree with the former Prime Minister John Major, who recently said that “many short sentences are pointless and that a non-custodial sentence would be more effective and, perhaps, more fair”?

Answer from Alex Chalk

It is absolutely right that the judiciary, who I respect enormously, do justice on the facts before them. If they feel they can do justice and provide a remedy for the crime that has been committed against society through an unpaid work order, some sort of community disposal or a suspended sentence order, that is a matter for them. The volume of unpaid work orders has gone up, and we are very keen to ensure that the rehabilitation or the unpaid work takes place as close as possible to the community that has been offended against, so that if there has been criminal damage or shoplifting, individuals should pay back their debt to the very society that they betrayed. That is what we would invite courts, in the exercise of their independent discretion, to do.

Partly answered

How: He Focused On Unpaid Work Orders And Community Disposals Without Directly Addressing John Major'S Statement.

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Q6 Philip Hollobone Con
Justice & Courts
Context

The probate process has a significant backlog, affecting many families awaiting decisions on inheritance.

Question

How many probate cases are awaiting a decision for seven weeks or more, and what is the Minister doing to speed up the decision-making process?

Answer from Mike Freer

The number of probate cases awaiting a decision for seven weeks or more is roughly 9,135, which represents about 15% of the backlog. The Minister has recruited 100 additional staff members to help clear complex cases.

Answered
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Q7 Helen Morgan Lib Dem North Shropshire
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The number of theft and burglary cases awaiting completion in Crown courts has increased significantly over the past two years.

Question

According to figures from the Ministry of Justice, the number of theft and burglary cases prosecuted in a Crown court by West Mercia police that have been awaiting completion for one to two years increased more than threefold between the first quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2022. Can the Minister provide more up-to-date data on those backlogs, and tell us what steps he is taking to ensure that the victims of such crimes in North Shropshire see justice within a reasonable timescale?

Answer from Mike Freer

The outstanding caseload is continuing to diminish as we increase the number of judges, with 1,000 more judges this year and next. Court capacity has been increased without a cap on sitting days, and there are now 24 Nightingale courts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific up-to-date data was not provided

How: Under Review

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Q8 Scott Benton
Justice & Courts Employment
Context

Employing former prisoners can help reduce reoffending rates and fill labour shortages.

Question

What plans does my right hon. Friend have to use prisoners to help to fill labour shortages, and what assessment has he made of the extent to which that may drive down reoffending rates and help to improve the employability of prison leavers?

Answer from Damian Hinds

Getting offenders and ex-offenders into work has a material impact on reducing reoffending rates. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State explained that there is an opportunity to maximise this due to the tightness of the labour market.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans were not outlined

How: Working With Partners

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Q9 Chris Stephens SNP
Brexit Democracy & Elections
Context

The House of Lords Constitution Committee warned about the appropriateness of lower courts having power to depart from EU case law.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree with the assessment of the House of Lords Constitution Committee, which has warned that it is not appropriate for courts other than the Supreme Court and the Scottish High Court of Justiciary to have power to depart from the interpretations of EU case law, and that allowing lower courts to reinterpret EU case law risks causing significant legal uncertainty?

Answer from Alex Chalk

These are sensitive constitutional issues. I should be happy to write to the hon. Gentleman.

Not addressed: No substantive response was provided

How: Will Write

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Q10 Vicky Ford Con
Justice & Courts Employment
Context

A GCSE project highlighted the importance of employment in reducing reoffending rates.

Question

Given that we know employment can help to reduce reoffending, what progress is being made on helping offenders and ex-offenders into work?

Answer from Alex Chalk

My right hon. Friend the Member for East Hampshire has talked about this a little. It is very important for people within jails to be given the chance to connect with opportunities outside.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific progress details were not provided

How: Under Review

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Q11 Neale Hanvey
Women & Equalities
Context

The Sex Matters petition seeks to clarify the Equality Act 2010.

Question

What preparations are being made to clarify and strengthen all protected characteristics, and to ensure that freedom of speech is protected as well?

Answer from Damian Hinds

The review would be led by the Government Equalities Office. On transgender prisoners, my approach is that transgender women can only be held on the main women's estate if risk-assessed to be safe.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific preparations were not outlined

How: Under Review

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Q12 Tom Hunt
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

Shops in Ipswich are suffering from repeated theft, leading to closures.

Question

Does the Lord Chancellor agree that the criminal justice system needs to be far harder on those who are repeatedly caught shoplifting? It is debilitating for a town centre, and we should not let cultural sensitivities get in the way.

Answer from Alex Chalk

My hon. Friend is right. Crime is crime, and cultural sensitivities should play no part in the police's enthusiasm for cracking down on it. 20,000 additional police officers have been recruited to fulfil the Government's manifesto commitment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures not addressed

How: Working With Partners

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Q13 John Cryer Lab
Justice & Courts
Context

The question arises from concerns about the law's impact and whether it accurately captures culpable individuals.

Question

I welcome the Secretary of State to his place. Does he have plans to undertake an assessment of the functioning of the law on joint enterprise?

Answer from Alex Chalk

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that the Court of Appeal considered carefully the scope of the law of joint enterprise to ensure it catches only people who are truly culpable. There are currently no plans to reform the law, but I would consider any sensitive matter he wishes to raise.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assessment plan was not provided

How: Under Review

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Q14 Rob Butler
Justice & Courts
Context

Prison officers were recognized during the coronation parade, raising their profile as a career choice.

Question

Will my right hon. and learned Friend join me in congratulating prison officers on their recognition during the coronation parade? I note HMP Aylesbury is recruiting.

Answer from Alex Chalk

My hon. Friend is an excellent recruiting sergeant for HMP Aylesbury. Prison officers are remarkable people who do a difficult job, and through a £100 million scheme, every prison officer has body-worn video to ensure accountability.

Answered
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Q15 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Asylum & Refugees
Context

There is public concern about the distinction between people fleeing persecution and those arriving illegally.

Question

Will the Secretary of State ensure discussions with Cabinet colleagues highlight that there is a massive distinction between refugees fleeing persecution and those who leave countries without oppression to arrive here illegally?

Answer from Alex Chalk

This country shows its humane, decent and fair nature through welcoming 500,000 people fleeing persecution since 2015. However, ensuring this humane instinct is not undermined requires fairness in treating those who traffic people or arrive illegally.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific policy to distinguish public perception was not provided

How: Under Review

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Q16 Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North
Justice & Courts Veterans
Context

There is a need to support veterans who enter the criminal justice system.

Question

Can the Minister say what the Department is doing to support armed forces veterans in the criminal justice system?

Answer from Alex Chalk

The Department ensures that those who leave custody have a guaranteed 12 weeks of accommodation and are supported to rebuild relationships, find employment, address mental health or drug issues. This includes pilot schemes ensuring support for armed service personnel.

Answered
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Q17 Martin Docherty SNP
Justice & Courts
Context

Concerns about the temporary release failure of known criminal Dean Woods from Her Majesty's Prison Sudbury.

Question

Since last year, has the Department done anything to make sure that Mr Woods is returned not to a category D prison but to a category B prison and ensure European cooperation?

Answer from Damian Hinds

I offer to meet the hon. Gentleman to talk through that detailed case.

Not addressed: Specific actions were not provided

How: Offer Meeting

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