Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Tuesday 20 February 2024 · 19 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 13 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Steve Double inquired about the Minister's experience wearing a GPS tag and the implications for individuals tagged by the courts.
  • Janet Daby questioned the Minister about his last visit to Cookham Wood and the Government's efforts to address critical issues in the prison.
  • Chris Stephens challenged the Justice Secretary on plans to reintroduce employment tribunal fees, arguing they would disproportionately affect low-wage workers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Steve Double Con
Policing & Resources Justice & Courts
Context

The Justice Minister met families of victims killed by Valdo Calocane and announced an early legal advice pilot.

Question

If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. He spent a day wearing a GPS tag, along with Jack Elsom from The Sun. Could he outline what he learned from that experience?

Answer from Alex Chalk

Modern GPS tags act as a constant physical reminder that debts to society must be repaid, breach of a court order will be detected, and transgressors face the risk of prison. We recognise that the safety of our prisons is in large measure down to the quality and quantity of staff.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specifics on effectiveness and robustness of GPS tags were not provided.

How: We Could Put The Entire Lobby On Alcohol Tags, But I Think That Would Deal A Fatal Blow To The Uk Drinks Industry.

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Q2 Steve Double Con
Justice & Courts
Context

The Minister spent a day wearing a GPS tag, along with Jack Elsom from The Sun.

Question

Could he outline what he learned from that experience? Will he reveal to the House who else from the Lobby is on his list to be tagged?

Answer from Alex Chalk

There is a serious point: modern GPS tags act as a constant physical reminder that debts to society must be repaid and breach of a court order will be detected. We could put the entire Lobby on alcohol tags, but I think that would deal a fatal blow to the UK drinks industry.

Not addressed: None of Steve Double's specific asks were addressed.

How: We Could Put The Entire Lobby On Alcohol Tags

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Q3 Janet Daby Lab Lewisham East
Policing & Resources Justice & Courts
Context

Cookham Wood young offenders institution faces challenges such as a staffing shortage, rising levels of violence, and recruitment issues.

Question

Can the Minister say when he last visited Cookham Wood? Why this Government continue to be unable to solve those crucial problems?

Answer from Alex Chalk

I have visited Cookham Wood. In the period up to the end of September, we recruited an additional 1,400 prison officers. We introduced measures such as the new colleague mentor scheme, rolled out £100 million on security.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The exact date of visit and reasons for unresolved issues were not provided.

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Q4 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
Immigration Foreign Affairs
Context

There was a debate in the House of Lords about the European Court of Human Rights' rule 39 injunction to stop flights to Rwanda.

Question

Will the Secretary of State confirm that Lord Hoffmann's understanding is correct? If we get the Bill through Parliament and have flights on the ground, will he ignore such an injunction?

Answer from Alex Chalk

We do not think that the Strasbourg Court will need to intervene, given that our domestic courts will have carefully assessed whether anyone we intend to remove to Rwanda would suffer serious and irreversible harm.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The exact stance on ignoring injunctions was avoided.

How: We Do Not Think The Strasbourg Court Will Intervene.

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Q5 Chris Stephens SNP
Justice & Courts Employment
Context

Unison criticised government plans to reintroduce employment tribunal fees, which may disproportionately affect low-wage workers.

Question

How can the Justice Secretary defend plans to reintroduce employment tribunal fees? They will disproportionately affect those on low wages and present an obstacle to justice for those who need it most.

Answer from Mike Freer

The £55 claim issue fee is modest, completely different from the previous scheme. I am happy to defend that small, reasonable fee as necessary to help defray costs of our system.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Concrete justification for fees and their impact were not provided.

How: I Simply Do Not Accept The Hon. Gentleman'S Characterisation.

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Q6 Henry Smith Con
Immigration Justice & Courts
Context

Data on FNOs is collected at the point of conviction.

Question

What percentage of the backlog in Crown court cases is due to foreign national offenders? What has been done to reduce that?

Answer from Alex Chalk

Data on FNOs is collected at point of conviction. The Home Office works to increase take-up of conditional cautions, leading to expulsion from the UK in appropriate cases.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific percentages and comprehensive actions were not provided.

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Q7 Paula Barker Lab Liverpool Wavertree
Crime & Law Enforcement Housing
Context

The Vagrancy Act 1824 is 200 years old, supposedly repealed in 2022 but remains in force. The Criminal Justice Bill represents a danger to rough sleepers.

Question

When will Conservative Members stop this madness? When will we see that 200-year-old piece of legislation taken off the books?

Answer from Laura Farris

The Criminal Justice Bill deals with repeal provisions for the Vagrancy Act. We are bringing the Bill back on Report with more on rough sleeping.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Concrete commitment to repealing the Vagrancy Act was not provided.

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Q8 Duncan Baker
Justice & Courts Children & Families
Context

The MP notes that Nightingale courtrooms have been established around the country to increase capacity but none in the east of England. He mentions an over 300% increase in receipts for special educational needs and disabilities cases.

Question

I welcome the fact that 20 Nightingale courtrooms have been set up around the country to boost capacity, but none of them appears to be in the east of England. I know we are all well behaved in the east, but have we been forgotten?

Answer from Mike Freer

I can reassure my hon. Friend that we would not dream of forgetting about him. We have seen an increase, particularly on special educational needs and disabilities, of over 300% in receipts, and with the increased number of judges and panel members, we are seeing a 37% increase in disposals this year. We are trying to address the issue of SEND with the Department for Education, and if my hon. Friend thinks there is a problem in this area, I am more than happy to meet him to discuss it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer acknowledges receipt increases but does not directly address the absence of Nightingale courtrooms in the east of England

How: Reassuring Language

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Q9 Justin Madders Lab Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
Justice & Courts Employment
Context

The MP references a previous drop of 70% in applications due to employment tribunal fees reintroduction, asking about potential denial of access to justice.

Question

I have heard the Minister defend the reintroduction of employment tribunal fees, but the last time the Government brought them in, there was a 70% drop in applications. How many people will be denied access to justice this time?

Answer from Mike Freer

The hon. Gentleman is comparing apples with oranges. The two fees are completely different, in terms of quantum. A £55 claim issue fee is a small contribution towards the tribunals, which cost us £80 million a year to run. I do not think that that is unreasonable.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not address the number of people potentially denied access to justice

How: Comparison Avoidance

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Q10 Tim Loughton Con
Women & Equalities
Context

The MP celebrates the fifth anniversary of his act but criticizes government delay in enforcing clause 4 for investigating stillbirths. He mentions a recent consultation with no government response.

Question

This week, we celebrate the fifth anniversary of my Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration etc) Act 2019 completing its parliamentary stages, but it is also the fifth anniversary of the Government taking no action to enforce clause 4, which gives coroners the power to investigate stillbirths. There has been some progress: on 8 December, after 56 weeks, they have produced the results of that consultation, but there has been no Government response. When will we have a Government response, and what is the Government's problem with getting on with something that is overwhelmingly supported?

Answer from Mike Freer

I appreciate that my hon. Friend is increasingly agitated about the implementation of aspects of the Bill; however, the consultation was not conclusive, and the stillbirths landscape has changed. Those issues have to be addressed if the Bill is to be introduced correctly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide a timeline for government response

How: Acknowledgment Of Concern

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Q11 Yasmin Qureshi Lab Bolton South and Walkden
Housing Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP refers to a National Audit Office report indicating that housing legal aid is unaffordable for many. She mentions constituents facing eviction and repossession threats.

Question

According to a report produced by the National Audit Office last week, housing legal aid is out of reach for many people who are struggling to keep a roof over their head. Countless people facing the threat of eviction and repossession have recently contacted me for help. With the cost of living crisis and rising interest rates, it is crucial that people can access legal help with their housing issues. What is the Minister doing to ensure that housing legal aid is available to those who cannot afford legal help?

Answer from Mike Freer

We are investing an initial £10 million to make sure that legal aid is available for exactly those problems.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q12 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Justice & Courts Housing
Context

The MP discusses the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, highlighting governors' failure to prepare ex-offenders for life outside prison as required.

Question

Under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, there is a solemn duty on prison governors to prepare ex-offenders for life outside prison. Seven years on from the introduction of that duty, they are still not doing what they are required to do. We want reoffending ended, and if people are prepared properly for when they leave prison, we increase the chances of preventing reoffending. What action is my right hon. and learned Friend taking on this?

Answer from Alex Chalk

My hon. Friend has done spectacular work on this issue. His Majesty's Prison and Probation Service published a policy framework setting out the steps prisons and probation services must take to meet their duty to refer those at risk of homelessness. I was reading it this morning, and it contains template referral forms—and many other aids—that are to be filled out at prescribed points in the prisoner journey. Governors are now held to account, as my hon. Friend rightly indicates, for their record on preparing prisoners for life post release, which is why I am able to say that in 2022-23, some 86% of prisoners were accommodated on the first night of release. That is up from 80% in 2019.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q13 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Crime & Law Enforcement Children & Families
Context

The MP highlights concerns that parents' fear of losing custody is preventing victims from fully presenting their case, hindering justice for those facing domestic abuse.

Question

Last week, I visited IDAS—Independent Domestic Abuse Services—which is an outstanding organisation supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence. They highlighted that parents' fear of having their children removed is preventing victims from presenting a case in full, and is preventing justice. How will the Minister ensure that power imbalances in the family courts are addressed?

Answer from Laura Farris

I am grateful for the hon. Lady's question. She will know how much we are doing on victim support, particularly in terms of sexual and domestic abuse. I would like to speak to her about this issue, and about parental responsibility in the family courts, so I think we should have a meeting. I ask her to write to my office after questions to arrange it.

Not addressed: The answer does not address power imbalances directly

How: Suggestion Of Future Meeting

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Q14 Alberto Costa Con South Leicestershire
Justice & Courts
Context

The MP mentions Colin Pitchfork's successful reconsideration application for parole board decision and requests an urgent meeting to discuss Parole Board rules.

Question

Last week, Colin Pitchfork, the double child rapist and murderer, successfully applied for a reconsideration of the Parole Board's decision not to release him, on the grounds that the decision was irrational. I have issued a survey across my South Leicestershire constituency on Parole Board reform. Will the Secretary of State meet me urgently to discuss the Parole Board rules, as amended in 2019?

Answer from Alex Chalk

I certainly will meet my hon. Friend. He has been assiduous for many years in raising this matter on behalf of his constituents. The Parole Board does an exceptionally good job. There are two cases in which decisions appear to have been overturned because they were irrational, and that is why I am meeting the Parole Board tomorrow.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q15 John Cryer Lab
Justice & Courts NHS
Context

The MP inquires about extending the duty of candour, previously imposed on police, to all public bodies.

Question

The Justice Secretary mentioned the duty of candour that he imposed on the police. Has he considered legislating to introduce the same for all public bodies?

Answer from Alex Chalk

I can say that we want to extend that duty to healthcare settings, because we do not want health professionals closing ranks when something goes wrong. It is important to say that since Hillsborough there have been so many changes, including through the Inquiries Act 2005, which mean that there can be criminal liability for those who do not do what the hon. Gentleman and I must think is a matter of common sense, which is to tell the truth.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not address extension to all public bodies specifically

How: Broad Principles

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Q16 Siobhan Baillie
Religion & Faith
Context

Independent celebrants are reported to be the biggest trend for couples getting married this year. The Law Commission's report on wedding reform from 2022 has been mentioned.

Question

Wedding experts at Hitched say that independent celebrants are the biggest trend for couples getting married this year, and with the Church, registrars and humanists all providing additional options, it is about time that we updated the marriage laws, which are from 1836. Will the Government publish a substantive response to the Law Commission's 2022 report on wedding reform?

Answer from Mike Freer

As someone who benefited from the last wedding reform on equal marriage, I can say that this Government are entirely committed to ensuring that we report as fast as possible on the Law Commission's review. If my hon. Friend would like to meet my noble Friend Lord Bellamy to discuss it further, we can make that happen.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not commit to publishing a substantive response but offered an alternative meeting with Lord Bellamy.

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Q17 Alison Thewliss SNP
Immigration Asylum & Refugees
Context

The backlog of asylum and immigration tribunal cases has soared from 35,400 to 41,500 in a month. This is likely due to the Home Office pushing through decisions at the end of last year.

Question

The backlog of asylum and immigration tribunal cases has soared from 35,400 to 41,500 in a month—a result, no doubt, of the Home Office pushing through decisions at the end of last year. What is the Minister doing to tackle this new backlog that they have created?

Answer from Mike Freer

We are increasing fees for legal aid practitioners. We have seen a massive increase in cases going through the system, and that is why we are investing to make sure that legal representation is available.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address how the backlog would be tackled but discussed increasing fees for legal aid practitioners.

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Q18 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Justice & Courts
Context

There are staff shortages in existing prisons in Buckinghamshire, raising concerns about staffing the mega-prison with planning permission.

Question

Given that the existing prisons in Buckinghamshire cannot recruit to fill staffing vacancies, where does the Ministry of Justice think it will magic up staff and prison officers for the mega-prison that it now has planning permission for in my constituency?

Answer from Edward Argar

My hon. Friend is a champion of his constituents. While we may disagree on this issue, I know that he speaks for a lot of his constituents, and he does so vocally in this House. We have highlighted the increase of 1,400 in the number of prison officers. We are confident that we can staff all the new prisons and that they are necessary to meet our obligations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The response did not provide a specific plan for staffing the mega-prison but acknowledged an increase in prison officers and expressed confidence.

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Q19 Barry Sheerman Lab
Justice & Courts
Context

More than 1,000 young men are serving long sentences under the joint enterprise law. Lord Finkelstein recently wrote an article in The Times about this.

Question

What can I do to change the Secretary of State's view on joint enterprise? Has he read Lord Finkelstein's recent and very good article in The Times? Please can the Minister have an open mind and look at it again? There are more than 1,000 young men in prison on long sentences.

Answer from Alex Chalk

Joint enterprise is there to ensure that those who act as the burglary lookout, those who provide the weapon in a murder and those who drive the getaway vehicle do not escape the consequences of their crimes, which shatter lives. It is already the case, as in the case of Jogee, that the person must have helped or encouraged the commission of the offence and intended to do so. If the Labour party's position is that such people should escape culpability, it should say so. Our advice on this side of the House is clear: do not commit crime.

Not addressed: The response did not address the request to change the view on joint enterprise but discussed general principles and implications.

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