Topical Questions

Answer from Alex Chalk

We have opened Five Wells, Fosse Way prisons and Millsike is under construction. New houseblocks are being added in various locations to increase capacity. The rapid deployment cells provide additional space for offenders serving short sentences. This addresses the challenge of prison overcrowding.

Answer from Alex Chalk

Resolution does important work, and an additional £55 million of support for separating parents is announced. A new pilot with £12 million funding will launch in September 2023 to implement Resolution's vision on early legal advice in family disputes.

Answer from Alex Chalk

There are pressures in our prisons, but capacity is higher than under Labour's watch. We will have 10,000 places by next year. The Opposition would have let out up to 16,000 people during covid and got rid of jury trials.

Answer from Alex Chalk

Early release does not apply to life sentences, IPPs, extended determinate sentences, sex offenders, terrorism offenders or serious violent offenders. Our scheme allows governors discretion to block release; the Opposition's would have removed this discretion.

Answer from Alex Chalk

I did enter an overarching view opposing release and he will not be recommended for release. The Victims and Prisoners Bill introduces a safeguard to order a second check on the release of serious offenders to keep the public safe.

Answer from Mike Freer

We do not believe that a £55 claim issue fee will be a deterrent. The tribunal system costs the taxpayer £80 million a year, and we do not think it is unreasonable that those who use it should pay a small contribution. To answer the question, we do not think it is a deterrent.

Answer from Gareth Bacon

We are increasing sentences by introducing statutory aggravating factors for murders that are preceded by coercive or controlling behaviour, that involve overkill or that are connected with the end of a relationship. For manslaughter involving sexual conduct, we intend to target cases where death occurs in the context of abusive or degrading sexual conduct.

Answer from Mike Freer

The hon. Lady raises an important point and I would be happy to meet her and take representations on that specific point.

Answer from Alex Chalk

In the Sentencing Bill, we have a proposal such that people who commit crimes of murder involving sexual and sadistic conduct will not be released, because they will be expected to serve a whole-life order.

Answer from Mike Freer

The hon. Gentleman raises a good point. A piece of work is already under way on how we can increase the diversity of the magistracy and ensure that we recruit from those hard-to-reach groups.

Answer from Alex Chalk

I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I was asked about my priorities when I was appointed to this role, and I said that the guilty should be convicted, that the innocent should walk free and that the public should be protected.

Answer from Edward Argar

I am grateful to the hon. Lady for highlighting a serious and important issue. I am happy to meet her to discuss it further, if she wishes.

Answer from Alex Chalk

Since 2010, the number of people prosecuted for rape is up 32%, sentences are around 40% longer and the proportion of those sentences spent in custody has increased.

Answer from Alex Chalk

I am grateful to raise this important issue. I am aware of raised issues. There is a delicate balance to strike regarding individuals' access to courts for remedy in appropriate cases. We will carefully consider the proposed amendment, as done with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. If the hon. Lady wishes to make representations, I will listen very carefully.

Answer from Edward Argar

I am grateful for raising this issue. It is important that there is maximum transparency, though all information cannot always be made public due to confidentiality constraints. If it would be helpful, I am happy to meet to discuss the matter further.

Answer from Mike Freer

The Legal Aid Agency keeps provider locations under review. We have invested an additional £10 million recently for housing, education, and family legal aid. If the hon. Gentleman writes to me, I can provide details of spending in his local area.

Answer from Alex Chalk

I am grateful for raising this point. Joshua Rozenberg has made a profound contribution, required reading by many. I share regret over his programme's cancellation and echo sentiments about his work.

Answer from Laura Farris

It is unacceptable that anyone should feel harassed or intimidated. Section 9 of the Public Order Act 2023 will be commenced no later than spring, with a consultation on guidance published by the Home Office.

Answer from Alex Chalk

Probation officers do an important job. We have accepted every penny of the Prison Service pay review body recommendations, injected extra funding of over £155 million annually into probation, and recruited about 4,000 people in three years.

Answer from Mike Freer

Challenges facing crematoriums, burial space, and the whole funeral sector are being reviewed by the Law Commission. The commission is investigating and bringing forward proposals.

Answer from Mike Freer

Legal aid is always under constant review and I will always take advice from those closest to it. That is why I engage with, for example, the Bar Association, the Law Society and the judiciary on what we need to do.

Answer from Alex Chalk

The point I was endeavouring to make, although I perhaps did not do so well, is that listing is a judicial function. We have seen the senior presiding judge make a decision that certain sex cases and those most serious rapes, for example—all of them are serious, of course—will be given an early listing.