Live Justice Questions House of Commons

Good morning and welcome. We have live coverage from the Commons now,

the main business today is the detailed debate on the Enterprise

Bill which aims at reducing ?10 billion of regulation from

businesses. The debate will also cover plans for privatising the

green investment bank. Later today there is a backbench motion marking

international Women's Day. Don't forget to join me for a round-up at

11pm. But first it is justice questions.

With permission, Mr Speaker, I will take questions one, four and nine

together. The Justice Secretary and Home Secretary have regular meetings

where they discuss progress in removing foreign national offenders

from UK prisons and it remains a top priority for both departments. In

London we welcome people who come here to be students, tourists or add

to the economy but not those people who commit crime. What more can my

honourable friend do to ensure that with 40% of crime in London being

committed by foreign nationals, those that are responsible or

deported at the end of their sentences and not allowed back? The

number of foreign national offenders in the prison publishing is down by

1240 between June, 2010 and December, 2015. But he is right that

we strive to do better and further action is being taken. We have

introduced a new clause in the policing and crime bill that

requires defendants to state their nationality, that is an important

tool backed up and it will help us and remove even more FNOs. Does my

honourable friend agree that it is totally unacceptable for the British

taxpayer to be paying for foreign criminals. We have a range of

existing measures, the early release scheme allows for the removal of

foreign national offenders early. We remove around 1800 prisoners per

year under that scheme. There are also prisoner transfer agreement

said overall 29,000 FNOs have been removed between 2010 and 2015. What

efforts are made to ensure that those EU National foreign offenders

who are returns to their countries are banned from returning to the

United Kingdom or is that sort of sensible precaution not possible

while we are a member of the European Union? He makes what I say

is regrettable but powerful by. We try to exercise the powers that we

have as strenuously and vigorously as is possible. My constituent was

stabbed by a criminal who was given an indefinite order and in my view

he should be deported. If I write to the Minister will he look to this

case to see that justice is done for my constituent? Those kinds of cases

are very serious and dramatic and I am very sympathetic. Please do feel

free to write to me. What I would say to members on this side of the

house, this is an area where on the substance we can elicit as much

support across the house as possible. He will know that 25% of

the foreign national offenders in our prisons come from three

countries, Ireland, Poland and Romania. What is the reluctance of

other EU countries to take back their own citizens who have been

committing crimes in our country? We try through our prisoner transfer

agreement and residual national powers to exercise those powers as

robustness possible to remove as many people as possible. He will

know that as a result of the free movement rules but also as a result

of the Human Rights Act which is in fairness separate but albeit

related, that there are restrictions. As I said, when it

comes to looking at human rights reform I hope sensible people with

experience will look very carefully at the substance and not just take

the purely political stance. When the government signed a compulsory

transfer agreement with Albania, then prisons minister said he

thought this would be the first of many. How many have they been since

then and how is the arrangement going? I can say that we have over

100 bilateral prison or transfer agreements. And if he wishes I can

write to him in nation to the particular numbers with Albania in

June course. Would the Minister -- in due course. Would the Minister

agree that the deportation of FNOs is in some cases inhibited by the

operation of the Human Rights Act and if so could the Minister of

State house with plans to repeal it? My honourable friend is absolutely

right and one of the specific issues we want to look at is the scope to

which our bill of rights can facilitate the removal of serious

offenders, particularly when they have relied on their rather elastic,

Opec, ever expanding rights under Article eight, which has been made

even more difficult because of the Human Rights Act. -- opaque. There

are many convicted criminals in our prisons who after committing crimes

in the UK fled the UK and then returned here to face justice next

to the European arrest warrant. Can the Justice Secretary went to the

house how the interests of victims of crime can be protected if we

leave European Union and as a result the scope of the European arrest

warrant that you mark I think she is slightly confused about the

difference between an expedition and deportation. As a result of European

law it has become harder and harder to deport foreign national offenders

but easier and easier to have fast track extradition of innocent

British citizens. I think that balance is something that should be

addressed. Number two, Mr Speaker. Justice

Secretary Mr Michael Gove. Thank you very much and can I through you

apologise to the house, half of my Minister of State who is unavoidably

detained in Bristol on the poor mental business. We work closely

with interest to make sure young people serving custodial sentences

have access to comprehensive mental health provision. And Charlie Taylor

is looking at ways to improve the provision of mental health care for

children and young people. I thank my right honourable friend but will

he consider making mental health and substance misuse treatment one in

the new prison league tables he is looking to take forward? My

honourable friend makes a characteristically acute point. Up

to 70% of prisoners are according to academic research likely to have had

a mental health problem, often related to drink or drug abuse.

Before doing everything possible to assure that appropriate therapy and

rehabilitation activity is available to those prisoners is in all our

interests. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to ensure

young people in custody are given adequate safe time outside to

protect and safeguard their mental health? The honourable lady makes a

very good point and one of the tasks I have set Charlie Taylor is to make

sure that the purposeful activity, education, and also sporting

activity and time outside, are part of the regime that all young

offenders who happen to be in custody are capable of enjoying.

What assessment has been made of the impact on prison on mental health

and rehabilitation by making sure prisoners serve their sentences as

close as possible to family homes? It is a important to ensure that

families have access to prisoners, sometimes that is of course

facilitated by the prison or the secure training centre being close

to the families. There are other ways even if families are

geographically distant that we can work to insure they have effective

access to their loved ones. Mr Speaker, six weeks ago when the last

justice questions I asked how many fines chief arrest -- G4S had

received and I have yet to receive a letter from the honourable member

and still nothing. It beggars belief this information is not immediately

available to ministers on a contract of this size. There is a question

about what internal row is going on in the Department about the delay of

this information? I can only apologise through you, she has been

persistent and it is an important issue and I'm truly sorry she has

received an answer. She will of course be aware that G4S have said

they want event so is from the illustration of secure training

centres for young people. But it is important that there is full

accountability for how public money is spent and how these organisations

have operated and I will make sure reply comes to her as soon as

possible. Mr Speaker, we know that many of the young people in secure

training centres have serious mental health problems and their four

require specialist support. This is certainly the case in Medway. We

understand that G4S have decided to end their contract at Medway and at

another training centre. However I was surprised to learn that they are

able to sell the contract to other private companies. There is an

acknowledgement that G4S have an appalling record and is in the fact

the government is allowing the De Silva contract rewarding their

failure? Absolutely not. It is responsibly do to ensure their

children in secure training centres are kept in circumstances which are

decent and supportive and enable them to have an opportunity to

reintegrate into society and it is as a result of youth Justice board

monitoring that I set up and have put in place and as a result of the

wider work that Charlie Taylor has taken forward that we are monitoring

very carefully the health and welfare of children in all of our

secure training centres. And it will be the case that my department will

have the ability to scrutinise any other organisation takes over the

running of the secure training centres in order to ensure that

children are kept safe. Question three. The honourable gentleman will

be aware that on 19 February the Prime Minister said outgoing

government position on remaining in the European Union.

The former head of the Association of Chief Police Officers says that

leaving the EU would increase the risk of terrorism and would mean

Britain would become a safe haven for criminals. I am sure the

Minister agrees but perhaps he can explain to the house why the Justice

Secretary is so keen to ignore this advice from such a well-respected

authority and to take such a risk with public safety?

May I make it clear to the honourable gentleman, the governor's

decision as we would be better off in the European Union, better off

and secure. And the deal the Prime Minister struck when he came back

from Brussels achieve those objectives. England and Wales have

by far the largest law firms in Europe and provide by far the

largest legal services market in Europe, 1.5% of GDP. Does my right

honourable friend not agree with most commercial law firms and the

Law Society that up to 1.7 billion of annual output could be lost

through Brexit. We have one of the best legal sectors in the world, we

are thriving both within the European Union and outside the

European Union. Whatever the decision on the 23rd of June, I am

confident our legal sector will continue to thrive. Mr Andrew

Gwynne. Given an assessment in terms of the impact of legal services will

have been made by his department, civil servants, does he think it is

fair, right and proper that his colleague the Justice Secretary is

denied from seeing that paperwork? As I said earlier on, the governor's

position is very clear. The position is we would be better off in the

European Union. In terms of any potential disagreements, may I just

gently say to the members upset, it is somewhat rich they should be

engaging in conversation they are given the unity they have in their

own party. I'm prepared to put a substantial bet with any member of

the opposite side that tomorrow, in 24-hour is when we have PMQ 's, the

Right Dushmantha Chameera right honourable gentleman the primary

store receive will be greater. Can I invite my right honourable friend to

say how he would spend the money we would save by leaving the European

Union and confirmed there would be a big saving in translation services,

which are currently being expended on foreign national offenders? The

honourable gentleman makes his point as robustly as he always does. May I

just say, the Government position is we would be better in the European

Union and Patsy might wish to reflect on the 3 million odd jobs we

secured and which are linked to our entry in the European Union.

It must have been tricky for you to answer this question. According to

the Spectator the Secretary of State has three ministers in and three for

out, a perfect mimic of the Conservative Party. We were promised

a British human rights Bill last year, a consultation on the European

Human Rights Act and then a sovereignty Bill last year. Are we

going to get anything before the Secretary of State moves on at --

the end of June, whatever it sooner? He will know as a seasoned

politician that timetables are dealt with in the usual way, with the

usual channels. Michael Tomlinson. Mr Speaker, with your permission I

will answer this with questions 12, 13 and 18. Before I do I hope you

will allow me to express on behalf of the whole house the disgust at

the attempted murder of a prison officer in Belfast on Friday. I'm

sure prison officers throughout the United Kingdom will join us in

wishing him a full recovery from his injuries.

Mr Speaker, I meet regularly with businesses and trade bodies about

what happens to offenders on release. I am keen to encourage all

employers to ban the pox when recruiting. I would like to

associate myself with the minister's remarks. With the reoffending rates

of those who leave prison and secure employment, the evidence shows that

less than half reoffend, compared to those who don't secure employment.

Will the Minister support projects such As the excellent footprints

project in Dorset which supports and mentors with its team of volunteers,

and will he ensure these projects have a clear and transparent process

of referrals from the new CRCs? I warmly commend the important work

that Footprints are doing in Dorset. I want to see greater use of the

voluntary sector and an increased focus on offender employment. The

points I made to CRC leaders only last week.

Mr Speaker, I also associate myself, as a member of the Northern Ireland

select committee, with those comments he made as well. Can I ask

how we can ensure that prisoners to become institutionalised? By seeing

prisons as a safe haven, as opposed to rebuilding their lives once they

have been released? My honourable friend raises a very

important point. We need to support prisoners to take responsibility for

their lives and that very much includes supporting them in pursuing

legal work to support their families. I believe the Prime

Minister's announcement that we will now measure employment outcomes for

prisoners will drive further progress in that area. Mr McIntosh.

Would my right honourable friend join me in giving praise for the

work helping ex-offenders, homeless people, those with substance

dependencies and vulnerable young people to get training and

employment in the sector? I do welcome the work of good well

solutions. But the truth is, we don't just have labour shortages in

the logistics area but in construction, engineering, catering

and many other areas, which is why I am very ambitious to increase

offender employment. The key to rehabilitation is employment and the

key to employment is training. Could my right honourable friend the

Minister say what the department is doing to encourage all employers to

take some interesting training inside prisons, to help offenders?

Yet again my honourable friend makes a very important point indeed. The

model I like best is that of Halfords and academies which offer

demanding work and training in prison with the job and ongoing

support in release -- on release. It works, I call it the gold standard,

and Clinks graduates are working at some of London's best hotels. Can my

behalf on this half of the House associate myself with the remarks

the Minister has made about the prison officer who was so severely

wounded in Northern Ireland. However, while we hear from the

Minister a commitment to education and employment for prisoners, surely

he is also aware that the shortage of prison officers is leading to

many prisoners being locked in their cells for long periods and unable to

access education and training opportunities. Will he commission a

report from within the department on the impact of staffing shortages on

prisoner education implement less money best way of ensuring some one

doesn't reoffend is to get them in a job?

The honourable lady makes a valid point. The good news is I can tell

her last year we appointed 2250 prison officers. That is a net

increase of 440. We are going to carry on recruiting the prison

officers we need. Employment is the single biggest

factor that prevents reoffending. I remind the House of the excellent

changes made under the Coalition Government in 2012. Could the

Minister update the House what crusty Park mental work there is

question that this is an issue that has to start within the prison

system but also to continue afterwards. -- crossed departmental.

There is a very good work across the parties. I have had the most

outstanding help from the implement Minister, who has been extremely

supportive. We have had lots of practical help from DWP, the

construction industry training organisations, sending a bus in so

prisoners can complete their CSS cards, so they can use that when

they get out on release. Ms Abrahams. Following on from my

honourable friend's question, what is the Minister's assessment of the

impact of overcrowding on the impact of education for offenders? What I

can say to the honourable lady is we are building a prison state purpose.

The Chancellor has given us ?1.3 billion to build nine new prisons.

We are opening two Newhouse blocks, and about to open a prison next

year. We are building a fit for purpose prison estate. Doctor

Cameron. With your permission I would like to

answer this question along with number ten. I have been very clear I

would like to see far less women ending up in prison. We are

committed to improving the treatment of female offenders and to put in

place the interventions needed at each stage to help them turn their

lives away from crime. Doctor Cameron. Can I initially associate

myself with the Minister's earlier comments. The Cabinet Secretary for

Justice in Scotland has made sure the Scottish Government's commitment

to tackle the number of women imprisoned by strengthening current

presumption against short sentences, continued investment in community

centres and investing 1.5 million annually in projects for women. Will

the Minister join in thanking them for these efforts? Absolutely. We

are very keen to learn from any experiences in Scotland or elsewhere

in the world, where they are having success at averting women away from

prison. Here in England and Wales we have awarded ?200,000 of grant

funding the pilot more sequenced interventions, with the right

multi-agency approach, which should see fewer women ending up in prison

for short periods. Mr Day. The Scottish Government's approach to

justice has seen offenders serving shorter sentences of three months

left plummet since 2008, whilst reconviction rates are at a 16 year

low. Will the justice minister look at the of the Scottish Government as

a new approach to reduce the numbers of women in prison? I thank the

honourable gentleman for his question. Nearly 45% of women

released in 2010 reoffended within 12 months. That is why he is right,

the need to maintain family ties, education and rehabilitation of

women whilst they are in our care, which will have a good impact on

their life outside prison. That is why our transforming ribbon at Asian

changes are showing unprecedented levels of support for offenders who

have been released after short sentences. -- rehabilitation.

Research by the Prison Reform Trust shows female prisoners are more

likely to be sentenced a custodial sentence, even when they don't have

a previous conviction or caution. What intervention is being used at

the sentencing stage, to keep those women out of prison?

Mr Speaker, sentencing is a matter entirely for the courts. They will

take into account the full circumstances, not just the offence

but also of the offender. As the Prime Minister set out in a speech

earlier in this year, we are looking at how things like tagging,

problem-solving courts and alternative resettlement units can

help us deal appropriately with female offenders, especially when

children are involved. The Scottish Government has moved to relocate

female prisoners to change how Scotland deals with them. Will the

Minister join me in welcoming this progressive step towards weird

alliteration for female offenders? The honourable gentleman makes a

very valid point, which is why we have set about shutting Holloway, an

estate where the brilliant work undertaken by some exceptional

people is going on, despite the constraints of the building they are

in rather than because of it. Hopefully by offering a better

environment we will be able to improve outcomes. In 2015 the Prison

Reform Trust published research suggesting 32% of women prisoners,

compared to only 24% of males, are borderline learning disabled. Does

the Minister agree support in community centres, such as advocated

in Scotland, would be more appropriate than prison for such

women? So many of the women in the Empress

and represent a failure of society to address the causes of their

behaviour or any other issues which is why the health system approach we

are piloting in England and Wales will enable us to intervene earlier

to put in place the right interventions and support to enable

us to do that. The case of Sarah Read highlights the issues around

women accounting for a quarter of self harming incidents but

comprising over 5% of the prison population, will the Minister Bill

to tell us what action she is taking? We know women in our prisons

are more likely to self harm and also more likely to suffer from

mental health problems and have addictions and to have experienced

things like domestic violence and sexual abuse. That is why we are not

only trying to look at the other two people from prison to put in place

interventions to divert their behaviour as early as possible and

to support them but actually why we have interventions within the

prisons as well to support those women. Does the Minister agree that

going in and out of prison has a damaging effect not just on women

themselves but also families and communities, and will she welcomed

the Scottish Government efforts to transform and improve services for

women and efforts to break the cycle of reoffending with targeted support

to address underlying issues such as alcohol, drugs, mental health or

domestic abuse trauma? And will she tell us what pacific actions her

department are taking? -- specific. The honourable lady makes some

excellent points, the system we are piloting is all about trying to

divert women away from prison and putting the right interventions

early on in their offending behaviour but we also doing work

looking at drug and alcohol problems much earlier in people's experience

of the criminal justice system. The Howard league for penal reform in

Scotland has said the emphasis must be on preventing women from being

caught up in the criminal justice system in the first place by divert

in them at the point of arrest and prosecution wherever possible and

introducing -- reducing the use of Vermont and short-term sentences.

They also said there are lessons to Berlin from the success of such work

with young offenders in Scotland and the reduction in the number of young

offenders. Does the Minister agree that the success in which using the

number of young people in custody in Scotland could be replicated across

the UK for women in custody? It is something I would certainly be very

keen to take another look at, certainly since we know sentencing

is a matter for the court that work is ongoing to improve the

information services received and this is something we would very much

like to look more at. Question seven. Providing appropriate

treatment at the right time is vital to improving outcomes for people

with mental health problems and the NHS of course do a superb job in

providing services for prisoners but we want to give governors are much

bigger role in helping to secure the treatment. I am grateful for that

answer. Drones can be great fun, I have been promised one for my

birthday. But as my right honourable friend says this is a serious

subject and substance abuse is even more serious, is he aware of reports

that drones are being used to smuggle things into prison and what

can we do to stop it? Can I first of all say that the fact it is my

honourable friend's birthday in June means I'm looking forward to two

significant anniversaries in that month to celebrate. On the

substantive point he actually makes a very important intervention.

Because even though incidents are still mercifully rare there is a

real danger that drones can be used to smuggle contraband into prisons.

Mobile phones can be used in a mineral activity, drugs which can be

used in prison in the most unfortunate ways. -- in the middle

activity. That is why it is now illegal to use the drone to drop

contraband. The Prime Minister last month announced that governors would

have far more autonomy to start tackling these issues in prison

based on academy schools. The lesson of academy schools is that if you

have more autonomy it has to be matched by stronger local

governance. Can he assure us that governors who do have more

independence will have a stronger local governance arrangement to

match? The honourable gentleman is a -- makes a characteristically acute

point. We are exploring ways in the first six reformed prisons which

will model in some respects freedom depends what have we will make sure

that the local committees appropriately involved and that

accountability measures ensure that areas like mental health and

substance abuse are tackled effectively. We are

following the release of report Lord Harrison last year into

self-inflicted deaths in custody, can I ask if his department will be

looking at implementing any of the recommendations? We very much

welcome the report and we agreed with 62 of the 108 recommendations

and a further 12 are being considered. I think it is

appropriate we all recognise there has been an unwelcome increase in

the incidence of self harm and deaths in custody. We need to do

everything we can to tackle it and we also need to ensure that the

mental health problems and substance abuse problems often associated with

self harm and debt in custody are tackled even before people enter

into custody. Number eight, sir. I have asked as the house will note

Dame Sally Coates to bring forward the publication of a report into how

we can improve education in prison and critical to the direction of

travel that Dame Sally is recommending is more control for

governors to decide the type of curriculum that prisoners should

enjoy while they are in custody. Does my right honourable friend

agree that too much emphasis is placed on quantity rather than

quantity in education in prisons? I could not agree more, it is often a

case that inmates are cycled through a series of low-level qualifications

none of which that are able to actually secure any additional

games. I was very interested when I visited Colchester on Friday to see

how our services have a prison which succeeds in helping individual

prisoners to acquire more qualifications en route to either

being integrated into the services or entering civilian life and I

think that model could be applied in the civilian sector. Question number

11. Mr Speaker, my officials are engaging with the local authority

and will evaluate the suitability of any proposed venue. The majority of

the work however will transfer to Newton Abbot, seven miles away. In

addition video link facilities are available for any victims or

witnesses who are unable to attend court where cases are listed in

Plymouth. I thank the Minister for his answer, as he will be aware

there is disappointment that justice may no longer be local out of the

closure of our Magistrates' Court. Can he look again at options for

holding some criminal cases at the town Hall or County Court building

in Torquay? My honourable friend will be aware that we have had a

very lengthy and thorough consultation with over 2000

responses. We have had to make some difficult decisions and I'm afraid

in the case of Torquay Magistrates' Court the court is in a poor

condition with in a inadequate facilities and the majority of work

will be transferred to Newton Abbot, seven miles away. We are however

evaluating options to continue to provide access to services locally.

Officials in the region have written to the Council inviting dialogue on

alternative emissions for provision of services. Question 14. Mr

Speaker. My apologies, Mr Speaker. We are committed to running safe and

decent prisons and taking action to improve this. We are trialling the

use of cameras and the psychoactive substances act introduces new

offences but we recognise that our prisons need reform and restore much

more to insure prisons are places of decency, hope and rehabilitation. I

have a large prison in my constituency and prison officers

tell me of the increased threat of violence. The latest figures showing

that incidences of assault are up 40%. What does the minister plane,

what does he want me to tell risen offices in my area? About his plans

to include academy status? Mr Speaker, the honourable gentleman

can tell his prison officers that all violence within prison is a

crime. We strive to eradicate it and it is wholly unacceptable. We take

it very seriously. As I told his honourable friend the moment ago we

appointed 2250 extra prison officers last year, net increase of 440. And

we will carry on recruiting. Really importantly we are now testing for

new psychoactive substances throughout every prison from next

month and I believe that will make a significant difference to the

important issues he raises. Number 15, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker the

government's oh gram of reform aims to deliver faster and fairer justice

for all said since. By speeding up decision-making, giving parties the

ability to submit and consider information online and considering

issues far more proportionately. We have committed to invest in the

technology which will underpin this. The introduction of employment

Tribunal fees has caused a number of new cases to plummet. Sextus

rumination cases are bound by 80% and equal pay is as by 84%. Will the

recently announced review published an impact assessment on the adoption

of these fees and whether it is disproportionately affecting the

number of women bringing cases to tribunal? The honourable lady raises

some important points and as far as the employment tribunal was

concerned I would say that she should consider the alternative

facilities that are available, for example the early conciliation

service has reported that within the first 12 months there were 83,000

people using their services and the vast majority of them have been

happy with the service received. 3600 barristers including one third

of all QCs contribute voluntarily to the bar pro bono unit. As a

barrister I was one of those statistics. Does the Minister

welcome the significant budget Bician the bar pro bono unit is

providing to free access to justice? -- significant contribution. I most

certainly did commend not only my friends contributions but also the

contributions of the bar and the legal profession generally. Pro bono

is something that does benefit a lot of people and IP to say that the

engagement we are having with the legal sector is rueful and they are

considering other ways of helping the community. The fruitful. Today

is international Women's Day and it gives us the old unity to reflect on

the fat that financial abuse is not just a crime in itself but also can

be a way of controlling victims and prevent them from leaving abusive

Russian ships. Following the recent decision on legal aid in cases of

domestic violence, how is the mystery of justice intending to make

access to justice a reality to victims of financial abuse? The

honourable lady referring to a recent case and she will be aware

that the court did confirm that the Lord Chancellor does have the power

to set domestic violence evidence requirements. As for the other

issues, we are considering the outcome of the case and will make a

decision as to the way forward clear in due course. In his latest annual

report, the Lord Chief Justice makes what I think is an astonishing

admission. "Our System of justice has become unaffordable to most

others quote. Does the Minister accept that is a wholly unacceptable

state of affairs? May I just say that we will treat closely with the

senior judiciary and as far as access to justice is concerned he

knows only too well that despite the reductions we made to the legal aid

budget, ?1.6 billion and the present it remains one of the most generous

legal aid budgets in the world. Number 16, Mr Speaker. The

government is committed to ending all forms of gender-based violence

which has actually no place in our society. The justice ministers

attend an interministerial group which is chaired by the Home

Secretary and drives forward work on this and today the government is

publishing their ending violence against women and girls strategy

which lets out a whole package of support for victims. Mr Speaker,

many women who experience pilots are forced to flee to refuge condition

of with Jordan. Is the minister aware of the -- express files. Will

the Minister urgently discuss concerns about cuts with her

colleagues in the DWP? There are now more places in this country than

ever before under this government. We have criminalised forced marriage

and revenge pawn, we have strengthened the law on domestic

violence and e-mail genital you to listen. -- female genital

mutilation. We are going to build on this by doing more to deter and

rehabilitate perpetrators while continuing to improve the process

for Number 19.

We keep our estate office under review to make sure it delivers

business transformation, operate effectively and offers best value

for the taxpayer. By closing court buildings we would raise ?40 million

to reinvest in the justice system and have saved hard-working

taxpayers ?27 million a year. The Ministry of Justice kindly agreed

year ago to dispose of unused car park in Gloucester to provide more

parking and access to railway. I was assured this would be resolved

before the end of the financial year, however we are nearly there

and still no resolution yet. Does he therefore agree with me that the

time has come to lock the courts and tribunal service real estate

representatives into a room with the Gloucester City Council and great

Western row ways and leave them there until they beach in agreement?

Mr Speaker, that maybe a little drastic in terms of negotiating for

some eye officials are in gauging in conversations with Gloucester City

Council, at an advanced stage. He will not expect me to make

commercial comments at the dispatch box but I hope a final decision will

be arrived at very shortly. My honourable friend and I are due to

meet shortly when we will be discussing this matter further. Miss

Smith. Can the Minister provide an update on his plans for the

Victorian prison estate and any information regarding HMRC Norwich?

I'm keep my honourable friend should have the most up-to-date response

why will write to her regarding that. Question 21.

The Ministry of Justice are working to increase public awareness of the

law and important initiatives in the criminal justice and civil law

system. We do that by disseminating information to the media, using our

website and digital channels and on bespoke campaigns. Can I welcome the

efforts made not just by the minister but my right honourable

friend. I encourage him to do more, in broadening education. Having set

up a new Parliamentary group on it I would urge him to work with us, in

providing this education not just schools and adult services, but also

perhaps to the prisons, although it may not reduce the inmate population

it may reduce the future conviction rate. He is absolutely right and I

condemn him -- commend him on his efforts and initiatives. We have the

victims information service which provides information about the

criminal justice system, what a victim can expect. But he is right,

we need to strive to bring a law and its operation closer to its

citizens. Jeff Smith. Number one, sir.

As a number of members have pointed out, today is International Women's

Day. It is therefore appropriate we should think of those brave and

idealistic women who serve in our prisons and who do so much to keep

us safe and to improve the lives of the individuals who find themselves

in custody. It is appropriate that today we are publishing the

conclusions of the prison service pay review body. I'm delighted to be

able to inform the House we will be accepting the recommendations and

that will include a non-consolidated pay rise for those who work in our

prisons. Thank you Mr Speaker. The director of Amnesty UK has said the

UK is setting a dangerous precedent to the world on human rights. There

is no doubt the downgrading of human rights by this government is a gift

to dictators of the world over and fatally undermines our ability to

call on other countries to uphold rights and laws. In light of that

advice, isn't it time to drop plans to drop the Human Rights Act? It is

the response of any of our critics to weigh in with that kind of

scaremongering, before having seen the substantive proposals. Pilot

studies into critical time interventions the severely mentally

ill released patients, prisoners, have shown promising results in

giving care to people leaving prison with severe mental illness. And has

helped cut reoffending rates. Will the Minister meet with me and the

team who have put this important work together, to look at the

potential bowling out of a national scheme?

As a former distinguished health Minister I would like to meet with

my friend to discuss this important area with him. He may know whilst

mental health provision on release is provided, we work with our

colleagues to make sure offenders access appropriate services,

liaising with prison and mental health services. Mr Slaughter. My

honourable friend referred to the short and very clear recent judgment

of the Court of Appeal that said the evidence criteria for assessing

legal aid by domestic violence victims of unlawful in two respects.

This is what the Government has been told since the law was passed. The

Secretary of State has had enough time to consider this matter. On

International Women's Day, will lead tell us what he will do in light of

the core's ruling? The honourable gentleman raises a very good point.

We want to make sure we get it right. He is right to say criticism

was made of the provisions we put in place and the court decision is

clear. We want to make sure in the future we have an approach that

ensures those victims of abuse receive the support they require. It

is not just financial abuse but the two year rule. If you're going to go

further than that ruling it is well and good, but 40% of victims fail to

meet the evidence criteria, they then must get into debt by playing a

solicitor, represent themselves, or for the majority have no access to

justice and continue to suffer. This is unacceptable, is it not? The

honourable gentleman is absolutely right that victims of domestic

violence need support that we can give them, that is why I am

reflecting carefully on the judgment and will come forward in due course

with proposals which I hope will meet with the support and approval

of many people in the House as possible. Mr Smith. Many prisoners

in our system are suffering from mental health and substance misuse

problems. Further to the question from my honourable friend, the

member for Suffolk Central and North Ipswich, what support can be further

given in prison, to support people with mental health issues and

substance misuse? I welcome the continued focus on this important

issue from my right honourable friend. As the Prime Minister said

in his speech on the 8th of February, we believe inhumane

treatment and care. Our work in prisons, we will give prison

governors more say in this area and move towards full pro commissioning

for governors with NHS England meaning prison readers can have more

of a say in defining what what kind of services prisoners need.

The member for Bristol West... Would they consider giving a report to the

House on the Peterborough prison experiment, where the social impact

bond involved voluntary sector and private sector to reduce the

problems in prisons? First of all can I take up the very kind offer.

We are delighted to see the member for Bristol West back in her place

and fully recovered, I hope. We look forward to you having a prominent

part in debates on future. Can also say the social impact bond which ran

in Peterborough helped inform some of the changes we made through

transforming rehabilitation. I visited the prison, run by a private

company, and provides a significantly improved level of

care, compared to the mean level of care that many other custodial

establishments offer. So I think the spirit lives on, both in

transforming rehabilitation and the way Peterborough operates, but I'm

open to other ideas about how social investment can help improve the

justice system. Mr Tony Conte was convicted last November of fixing

the live borate. Given the US established the International

prisoners transfer programme in 1997 to make it easier for foreigners who

were convicted to return to their country of origin, which my

honourable friend, my right honourable friend consider such a

transfer for my constituent? I have listened carefully to what my

honourable friend says. I can tell him we will give very careful

consideration to any transfer application from his constituent

which is referred to us by the US authorities. It surely cannot only

be members on the side of the House who are dismayed, to quote the Lord

Chief Justice, our system of justice has become unaffordable to most. As

the Secretary of State discussed this dreadful situation with the

Lord Chief Justice and is there a plan to do something about it?

I have discussed this issue with the Lord Chief Justice and other senior

members of the judiciary. It is complex. One of the key things that

is problematic is the level of costs in the justice system. We do need to

bring reform, in particular to the civil justice system. That is why

the report by Michael breaks, which lays out the reforms, is a powerful

way forward. But there is much that remains to be done. The governor has

given strong support to the idea of creation of a new legal status of

Guardian, to help with the property and affairs of the 3000 people that

go missing every year in the UK. Could the Secretary of State confirm

when this might be brought into effect?

I know my right honourable friend has a person in his constituency who

went through this ordeal. We are committed to helping families deal

with the administrative problems they face, over and above the

heartache involved. We are working on creating a new legal status of

Guardian of the property and affairs of the missing person and will

introduce measures to the House as soon as Parliamentary time permits.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. An International Women's Day it is

truly shocking that one in four women will experience gender-based

violence. On the 4th of February the minister stated that primary

legislation was required to ratify the Istanbul convention, to try and

tackle this disgrace. When will that be brought forward?

She's absolutely right. The last government signed the convention in

2012. We have already implemented almost all of the provisions of it.

The purpose would be to encourage and promote it abroad. There is a

specific issue, as I suspect she may know, around article 40 four. We are

looking carefully at how that might be addressed. I apologise for my

absence earlier. In the recent case -- in a recent case the court upheld

the appeal first and actuator that events foreign national offenders

extending their stay in the UK whilst appeals were pending. What

assessment has my right honourable friend made of the judgment of Lord

Justice Richards, urging the need for more clarity in the guidance

given to caseworkers, so the policy can be better applied?

My honourable friend brings considerable experience from her

time as a barrister. I would say on this particular decision we welcome

the decision. It is a very important area of policy. I can reassure her

that the relevant guidance for caseworkers was updated following

the decision back in October. Thank you Mr Speaker. Today is

International Women's Day, as other members have noted. A recent survey

of women's aid regarding survivors of domestic abuse attending court

over child contact showed a third of them were cross-examined by their

abuser. Does the Secretary of State agree this is completely

unacceptable and what action is he taking to address it?

Protecting women and children from violence is of course a key priority

for this government. We will be working with others in the family

justice system to discuss and address the report's conclusions,

including in relation to the measures already in place to protect

women and children from harm and their effective implementation.

Thank you Mr Speaker. The Secretary of State knows my real concerns in

relation to the access ability of certain high-powered laser pens

which have been used to target civilian and military aircraft, cars

and trains. I have called for them to be made a prohibitive item. As a

Secretary of State's department looked at my request before we have

a major tragedy occur in our country? My honourable friend has

campaigned consistently and effectively on this issue. We are

reviewing what steps we and other departments can take to mitigate

this danger. Thank you Mr Speaker. Last Thursday this house voted for

the Government to set up an all-party commission looking into

gangs and serious youth violence. Can I ask the minister if his

department will contribute to that commission?

the problem of gangs was the subject of discussion between myself and so

on Howe only last week. -- Sir Bernard Hogan Howe. The Secretary of

State knows how much I welcome the Prime Minister 's big speech last

month on prison reform but would he agree that a lot of the consequence

of rehabilitation that really works is fewer victims of crime but

ultimately fewer people locked up with huge savings? I applaud my

honourable friend for the work he did when he was on the justice

select committee in pioneering the case for a transformed approach

toward justice and here is absolutely right. If we get prison

reform right then crime will fall, individuals will be safer and of

course the numbers of inmates in our prisons will fall. On the basic

point of clarification, can G4S sell the government contracts it has in

place with the STCs to the highest bidder without any government veto

or involvement? It really is concerning. Can I first of all take

the opportunity to thank the honourable gentleman for his

diligence in asking questions on behalf of his constituents and also

his historic work for Mineworkers in distress. I know that over the

course of the last couple of days there have been reports in the press

and one of the things I wanted to say in this house is that the

honourable judgment is an exceptionally dedicated work for

people who have fallen on hard times and the vulnerable. As someone from

another party I wanted to decide how much I admire him for that work. In

his question was in that tradition and it is absolutely not the case

that G4S can simply sell the contract of the highest bidder. We

have the right to insure that any transfer is done appropriately and I

will make sure he is briefed on the progress. I trust the honourable

gentleman will have the tribute framed in his constituency office.

He should savour it. In 2014 my constituent was that victim of an

acid attack. I would be great for the Secretary of State can confirm

that the government will be bringing forward a strategy to address the

increase in acid attacks, in particular the need for tougher

sentencing. She has to live with this type for the rest of her life.

I thank my honourable friend and cases of this kind are absolutely

foreign. We would certainly be willing to hear from him about the

specifics -- absolutely abhorrent. Whether there is a case for

additional sentencing powers. 78,000 disabled people every year were able

to challenge social security decisions, with 80% success rate

before the legally restrictions weren't just. How can withdraw all

of legal aid to disabled people who are twice as likely to live in

poverty be fair? It is important that the honourable lady appreciates

that we have not withdrawn or abolished legal aid. It exists for

the most honourable and we do have certain criteria but we are also in

terms of decisions that are coming to the courts in the first place,

the officials who take those decisions in the

looking at the decisions of the court 's obeyed and not have to come

to the court by way of appeal in the first instance. In 2009 Walter Scott

and Ross, the solicitors firm in my constituency, was closed down due to

financial irregularities. Since then the SRA has systematically failed in

his duty at the former clients of the phone which has led to at least

one bankruptcy. Will my right honourable friend agreed to

investigate this case and we can at last secure some closure for my

constituents? She will know that the regulation of the legal provision is

independent of government and it would be wrong and improper for a

minister to try to intervene in the individual cases but there is an

ombudsman 's arrest that allows review of complaints against the SRA

and I would only encourage you to look at whether that is a possible

T. Point of order. Mr Speaker, last Thursday we had an excellent debate

on Welsh affairs in this house. But unfortunately the Secretary of State

for Wales was absent. The Parliamentary undersecretary said,

"I can advise