Topical Questions 2020-11-03

2020-11-03

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
The Justice Secretary is asked about his department's response to the pandemic and current restrictions.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. The Justice Secretary is enquired upon how dedicated public servants across the justice system have continued delivering vital services during the pandemic, including implementing contingency measures for hearings, 16 Nightingale courtrooms, and national frameworks to deal with covid in prisons.
Throughout the pandemic, dedicated public servants across the justice system have continued delivering vital services. We implemented contingency measures to ensure hearings could continue safely and securely, and now have 16 Nightingale courtrooms. A national framework for dealing with covid in prisons has been put in place and access to testing secured to manage outbreaks.
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Q2 Partial Answer
Context
The questioner inquires about specific examples of military operational decisions changed due to court action or threat thereof, and vexatious claims that have not been dismissed by the courts.
Can the Justice Secretary give an example of a military operational decision that has been changed as a result of court action or the threat of court action, and an example of a vexatious claim that has not been dismissed by the courts. The inquiry relates to the Bill set for debate which contains provisions to ensure armed services are supported while ensuring no one is above the law.
I take it that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the Bill set for debate which contains provisions to ensure armed services are supported while ensuring no one is above the law. There have at times in years gone by been a number of examples where members of our gallant armed services have been unfairly exposed to legal action causing hurt, disquiet and genuine concern among the general public.
Assessment & feedback
Examples of specific military operational decisions changed due to court action or threat thereof, and vexatious claims not dismissed by the courts are not provided.
Response accuracy
Q3 Direct Answer
David Lammy Lab
Tottenham
Context
The questioner raises concerns over court closures, mishandling of the pandemic leading to a backlog in Crown courts nearing 50,000 cases. He questions if there has been an adequate provision of resources.
A decade of cuts, court closures and mishandling of the pandemic has created a backlog in the Crown courts of nearly 50,000 cases. It could reach 195,000 by 2024. The Courts Service says we need at least an extra 200 venues to fill the gap, but on 19 October 2020, the Judicial Office confirmed only five Nightingale courts were hearing jury trials. That is a failure of epic proportions leading to thousands of victims being denied justice. Has the Lord Chancellor failed to ask for enough resources or been denied them by the Treasury?
We secured an extra £80 million from the Treasury specifically for covid court recovery. This came on top of a 20-year investment and increase in court maintenance, including during the stewardship of Labour. We scaled up courts to have 255 courtrooms hearing jury trials by end of October; we opened 19 courtrooms under Nightingale scheme.
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Q4 Direct Answer
Context
The questioner inquires about government support for the resourcing of magistrates' courts, particularly for victims of violent crime and domestic abuse.
What are the Government doing to support the resourcing of magistrates courts which are vital to dispensation of justice? For victims of violent crime and domestic abuse, it is important that their cases are expedited. The questioner seeks government measures supporting resource allocation for timely justice delivery in his constituency.
We have made available £1 million to improve recruitment process. We reviewed planned recruitment and are consulting on proposals to increase mandatory retirement age of all judicial office holders. All victims deserve prompt justice; we have ensured case progression through hard work in the criminal justice system.
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Q5 Partial Answer
Rachael Maskell Lab Co-op
York Central
Context
The questioner questions the handling of youth cases in adult courts and seeks a review to ensure young offenders are tried through the youth justice system.
When somebody under 18 commits an offence, they join the long list waiting for hearing and are then tried in adult courts. That cannot be right. Will Justice Secretary review this and ensure that if crime is committed by youth, they are tried through youth justice system?
Issues are being examined. We take particular interest in the threshold change from youth status to adult; people who have attained age 18 are dealt with as youths for sentencing purposes, but we look at all ramifications including the one raised.
Assessment & feedback
Specific review or action plan is not committed to directly addressing youth cases in adult courts.
Response accuracy
Q6 Direct Answer
Context
The questioner asks about access to testing for prison staff and mandatory wearing of face masks.
Will my hon. and learned Friend explain what she is doing to ensure that prison staff have access to swift testing, to avoid unnecessary periods of self-isolation? Has consideration been given to making mandatory the wearing of face masks by prison officers when on duty?
We have started routinely testing staff and providing personal protective equipment including medical-grade face masks. We are thanking all the staff who have been working hard at this particularly challenging time.
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Q7 Partial Answer
Florence Eshalomi Lab Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Context
An independent legal advice centre in the constituency recently closed, raising concerns about citizens' access to free legal advice.
In my constituency, we have lost one of our most established independent legal advice centres. Access to such service is vital for people facing debt and employment issues. The sector has faced cuts over years and demand grew during lockdown. Can the Secretary of State outline steps taken to ensure these services are available?
Already as part of pre-covid work, we allocated £5 million for early legal help. The Under-Secretary of State for Justice is working on evolving a scheme of early legal support and advice which I endorse.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify if the funding will ensure availability of services in Vauxhall and Camberwell Green or details about new schemes beyond statements.
Response accuracy
Q8 Direct Answer
Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem
Bath
Context
The female offender strategy recommends women's centres over custodial sentences. Funding for the strategy ran out in March, and setting up a new centre has been challenging.
The female offender strategy recommends women's centres over custodial sentences but funding committed as part of this strategy ended in March. The Minister mentioned more funding for women's services. Will the Government commit to providing significant core funding specifically for women's centres?
The £2.5 million committed this year for the female offender strategy will go directly to women's centres that bid for it. I am happy to talk about her particular centre.
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Q9 Partial Answer
Context
Victims are increasingly vulnerable during the second national lockdown, especially those subjected to crimes such as sexual-related offenses or modern slavery.
What steps is my right hon. and learned Friend taking to ensure that all victims, particularly those subject to crimes like sexual-related offences or modern slavery, receive proper support and have their rights protected?
We delivered £22 million emergency funding to support over 540 charities dealing with domestic abuse and sexual violence. An action plan is in place following the hidden harms summit, strengthening the victims code.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific steps for supporting victims of sexual-related offenses or modern slavery beyond general support measures.
Response accuracy
Q10 Direct Answer
Andrew Gwynne Ind
Gorton and Denton
Context
Potential victims of domestic abuse are increasingly vulnerable as England enters a second national lockdown.
What steps is the Government taking to make sure that trials of people accused of domestic abuse and support for their victims are being prioritised?
Throughout the pandemic, domestic abuse cases appearing in magistrates court and Crown court have been given priority. A £25 million package was delivered to support groups dealing with domestic abuse and sexual violence.
Assessment & feedback
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Q11 Partial Answer
Context
Cleveland police are 500 officers down, Hartlepool magistrates court has closed, and local cells have been mothballed due to underfunding.
Would the Secretary of State agree to meet me to discuss the reopening of our police cells in Hartlepool as a matter of importance to build back confidence?
I am sure he supports our moves to scale up number of officers. In Cleveland, numbers are rising encouragingly. I note the point about custodial facilities but use remote technology too for quick case resolution.
Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm a meeting specifically regarding police cells reopening or address underfunding issues.
Response accuracy
Q12 Direct Answer
Context
A constituent's parents died in Egypt over two years ago, and the UK coroner has been unable to get necessary information.
The Lord Chancellor is aware that my constituent Kelly Ormerod's parents died while on holiday in Egypt more than two years ago. The UK coroner cannot get answers for cause of death, causing anxiety for the family. Would he meet me and Kelly to progress this case through the UK coroner?
My hon. Friend has worked tirelessly on this sensitive case, causing additional distress for the family. I will be happy to meet him. Officials have contacted the senior coroner for more details and an update.
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null
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Q13 Partial Answer
Context
The YPeople project in Lindsay House has seen high levels of antisocial behavior and criminal activity, including drug use, leading to multiple police calls. Despite these issues persisting even during lockdown, local residents are frightened and children face risks such as being offered drugs at school.
I am concerned about the serious situation in my constituency with the YPeople project where the police have been called out 700 times over two years for antisocial behavior, crime, weapons, and drug misuse. Despite these high rates persisting during lockdown, residents are terrified and children face risks like being offered drugs at school. What more can be done to provide intensive rehabilitation before relocation to prevent such pervasive risk?
The hon. Lady raises a very serious case in her constituency, and I am sure that her colleagues in the Scottish Government will consider this carefully as they have responsibility for such matters in Scotland. Despite best intentions, there seems to be insufficient community engagement to provide residents with timely support and confidence. We are enhancing and improving community treatment requirements south of the border to address drug addiction, alcohol abuse, and root causes of reoffending.
Assessment & feedback
Specific measures for intensive rehabilitation prior to relocation were not provided
Considering This Carefully
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Context
LandWorks charity in Totnes helps individuals at risk of imprisonment or recently released to find jobs and reintegrate into the community. Many prisoners struggle with accessing universal credit and housing upon release.
My constituency's LandWorks charity assists people at risk of prison or those recently released back into work and community life. With monthly prisoner releases unable to access universal credit and housing, will the Minister meet me to discuss improving access mechanisms for these individuals?
I would be happy to visit LandWorks before a formal meeting to discuss these issues, and I pay tribute to the work of LandWorks in Totnes. The issue of universal credit is fundamental, as are getting people into homes; we collaborate closely with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Secretary of State at the Department to ensure prison leavers can access universal credit promptly on release.
Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to visit before formal meeting was not provided
Visit When Allowed
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Context
Entering another lockdown with strict measures for prisoners, there is concern about the potential harm to mental health and family relations due to reduced contact.
As we enter another lockdown with severe restrictions on prisoners, will the Minister consider the serious harms that minimising covid restrictions risk causing to prisoners, prison officers, and their families?
My hon. Friend makes a very important point; we are aware of the impacts restrictive conditions can have on those in custody and care. Since restrictions were lifted, prison staff have worked hard to reopen facilities; visits have been reintroduced in every prison since the last lockdown, with 119 prisons at stage 3 of the framework for key activities like work, education, and offender management.
Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to assess impact on mental health and families was not provided
Thinking Carefully
Response accuracy