Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Violence against Women and Girls

Thursday 6 July 2023 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Work is being undertaken across the criminal justice system to increase prosecution rates for cases of violence against women and girls.
  • The Attorney General will pass on points regarding Jade's law to the appropriate Ministers in the Ministry of Justice.
  • The Attorney General noted the importance of investment in the Crown Prosecution Service to recruit and retain competent personnel.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower
Crime & Law Enforcement Women & Equalities
Context

The MP is concerned about the prosecution rates of cases related to violence against women and girls.

Question

What steps are being taken to increase prosecution rates for cases relating to violence against women and girls?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

Work is going on across the criminal justice system to drive up prosecution levels. In Gower, charges of adult rape suspects have increased dramatically in the past year. The Solicitor General and I recently visited CPS South Wales to discuss its future plans.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Steps taken specifically are not detailed

How: General Statement, Hedges

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Gower
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP is advocating for Jade's law, which aims to prevent convicted murderers from having any say over their victims' children.

Question

Will the Attorney General engage in a serious and sympathetic discussion with her colleagues in the Ministry of Justice about how we can make Jade's law a reality?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

While I always enjoy my discussions with the hon. Lady, I am afraid that I am not a Minister in the Ministry of Justice. I am happy to pass on her points to those Ministers. The Attorney General's Office stays completely separate and independent of the Ministry of Justice.

Not addressed: Engagement with MOJ was specifically requested but denied due to organisational structure

How: Denial, Structural Avoidance

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Bob Neill Con
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The MP is concerned about the skills required for investigating and prosecuting serious sexual offences.

Question

Will she therefore welcome the increase in prosecution counsel fees to an equal level with those for the defence so that we get the most competent people doing these cases? Will she also accept that more investment must continue to go in so that the Crown Prosecution Service can continue to recruit sufficient experienced rape prosecutors and have the digital technology to deal with things such as mobile phone evidence?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

My hon. Friend knows well that I do not hold the budget that he is seeking to influence, but he is one of the best campaigners in the House and, as ever, he made his point extremely clearly. I watched with interest his Committee's proceedings earlier this week and noted what was said.

Not addressed: Budget responsibility was used to avoid direct commitment to fee increase or investment continuation

How: Structural Avoidance

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Emily Thornberry Lab Islington South and Finsbury
Justice & Courts
Context

The joint inspectorate's report recommended immediate police and CPS work to ensure bad character is considered in all rape cases, but progress has not been adequately reported.

Question

Almost 500 days ago, the joint inspectorate's report on the post-charge handling of rape cases recommended that immediately the police and the CPS should work...to ensure that bad character is considered in all rape cases, and progressed wherever it is applicable. But when I recently asked the Ministry of Justice about the issue, it could not even tell me how many bad character applications had been made or allowed in the last year, let alone what progress had been made in meeting the immediate recommendations from last year's report. Does the Attorney General know what progress has been made? If not, will she make immediate inquiries?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

I am always interested in the right hon. Lady's inquiries into the way that data is produced. She has made some valid points in the past, and I am always keen to engage with her on how best we can provide transparency. I am happy to take her point forward with Ministry of Justice colleagues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Immediate inquiry not committed; engagement offered but without timeline or specifics

How: Hedges, Promises

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email