Topical Questions 2020-07-14
2020-07-14
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Questions about the impact of Covid-19 on court operations and technological innovations.
Mr. Vickers inquires about the efforts made by the Department to keep courts open during the pandemic, highlighting the number of remote cases heard and jury trials restarted.
Mr. Buckland states that throughout the crisis, courts have remained open with over 14,000 cases heard remotely; 48 Crown court centres are now hearing trials, HMCTS has published a plan outlining next steps, and work continues on increasing capacity, technology usage, and exploring options.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Concerns about the increase of nitrous oxide canisters found during litter picks, highlighting health and life risks for young users.
Mr. Vickers asks Mr. Buckland to look at this issue with colleagues across Government to get a grip on this growing and dangerous problem involving psychoactive substance use among youngsters.
Mr. Buckland confirms that nitrous oxide is classified under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 as an offence to supply if used psychoactively, noting willingness to discuss further with Mr. Vickers.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
Criticism of the decade-long underinvestment in legal aid, urging for an expedited review with a deadline.
Mr. Lammy criticises the delay in reviewing criminal legal aid and requests a deadline for the report's submission.
Mr. Buckland asserts that part 1 of the criminal legal aid review is complete with a consultation finished, expressing readiness to move forward with part 2 while acknowledging past cuts during Mr. Lammy's tenure.
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Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
Inquiries about the progress made in allowing prison visits to maintain family connections for rehabilitation purposes.
Mr. Wood seeks information on the Department's plan to gradually ease restrictions in prisons while ensuring safety for staff and inmates, asking about the start of prison visits again.
Mr. Buckland outlines a June issued plan to gradually open prisons, guided by public health advice; he mentions around half of all prisons beginning to ease some restrictions with visits starting in places like HMP Humber.
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Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
Discussions on the restoration of legal aid for early legal advice, aiming to resolve more cases before they reach court.
Ms. Hobhouse presses Mr. Buckland to consider restoring legal aid at least for initial advice sessions, highlighting its importance for accessibility and resolution speed.
Mr. Buckland acknowledges the availability of criminal trial legal aid subject to means test, while noting £5 million allocated for early legal advice provision aimed at diversion from lengthy processes.
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Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
Questions on the Department's measures to support crime victims specifically in the Cornish region.
Mr. Mann seeks information on steps taken by the Department to support victims of crime in his constituency, particularly those under the Devon and Cornwall police and crime commissioner area.
Mr. Buckland provides details on over £2 million in funding to the Devon and Cornwall PCC area, including specific allocations through rape support funds and additional Covid-19 extraordinary funding for local providers.
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Q7
Direct Answer
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Context
Kinship carers help children stay within family networks when they cannot live with their parents.
They often face legal fees to secure the right to care for these vulnerable children. Will the Lord Chancellor pledge to bring forward legal aid reforms for special guardians in private law cases and ensure kinship carers are not financially disadvantaged?
I am grateful to the hon. Lady for raising that specific point, which deserves closer scrutiny. I would be happy to engage directly with her on the issue.
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Q8
Direct Answer
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Context
New regulations set a standard fixed fee for complex asylum and immigration work, potentially making it financially unviable.
Will the Secretary of State commit urgently to assessing the impact of this fixed fee and to funding a system that pays a fair wage to legal aid lawyers, ensuring access to justice for disadvantaged people?
I have already committed to the second stage of the consultation to reflect fully the nature of the work undertaken by immigration practitioners. Our aim in the first stage was to quickly bring forward increases for skeleton arguments, but we will continue with the planned consultation.
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Q9
Direct Answer
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Context
HMP Peterborough is a privately managed prison.
What reassurances has the Minister been given by prison operators about handling of covid-19, and what support is available from the Ministry?
Staff at HMP Peterborough have responded with care and compassion to support prisoners through the pandemic, helping them maintain family ties and providing exercise and materials. The Ministry has worked closely with privately managed prisons throughout this period.
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Q10
Direct Answer
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Context
Nine out of ten children currently in custody in Croydon are black, raising concerns about underlying discrimination and racism.
Following the Prime Minister's announcement of a commission to investigate racial inequality, can the Secretary of State provide details on its setup, chair, terms of reference, and expected actions?
There are issues identified in the Lammy review relating to legal advice tendering and system engagement. We have started 'Chance to Change' pilots for dealing with allegations against black and minority ethnic youngsters, but I do not have specific details on the commission's setup at present.
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