Live Attorney General Questions House of Commons

Join me for a round-up of the day in both houses of parliament at 11pm

tonight but first we have questions to the Attorney General.

The CPS continues to improve its response to cases involving rape

allegations and other forms of serious sexual offending and has

taken a number of steps to improve the conviction rate, including

increasing the number of specialist staff within its reach and serious

sexual offence unit and improved specialist training for prosecutors.

Despite claims of the highest number of convictions ever, in the last two

years conviction rates for rape, domestic abuse and other sexual

offences have fallen. What does the Minister intend to do to rectify

this? Midge honourable gentleman rightly points to the fact the

actual number of convictions continue to increase, which means

justice for more rape victims and it is right the CPS bring cases to

duties and it is a matter for Judy is to determine whether or not a

suspect is guilty or not. -- what I would see as increased funding for

the units means an improved early engagement sought the experience of

victims becomes a better one and it is the tried and tested evidence and

the experience of victims is a vital. Part of improving the

evidence for victims is the use of live like, where they do not have to

to the court building to give evidence. There was a report

published this week but recognise that what they do say although in

some areas it is doing very well, and others, to quote, the court and

CPS were not comfortable with live links even though the technology was

available. What more can be done to spread the consistency in its

update? My honourable friend is quite right to highlight that. In

places like Kent Best practice is being demonstrated and with regard

to national training which is happening we are to seek more use of

live links from victim's homes and other safe places to avoid the

terrible ordeal in many cases of coming to court to give cases --

evidence. Providing effective and compassionate support for victims

and survivors of sexual violence as pivotal to ensuring more of these

crimes are reported in the first place. And ultimately more offenders

brought to justice. Therefore, can the Minister tell me how the

Government intend to improve victim and witness care within the criminal

justice system? The honourable lady may only know there has been revised

guidance to prosecutors and CPS staff about victim and witness care

in the courts that it's already been rolled out with increased staff in

the court system. This helps and supports witnesses and victims

through the process. More work is being done and will be done to

ensure that the objective she and I share are met. Well the general

welcome the starter sticks that show more cases for young victims being

prosecuted than ever? I certainly do and it importantly makes the point

that when it comes to people's' lives more individuals are finding

their cases are being hurt and justice being done upon the

perpetrators of these appalling offences. What discussions at the

Minister had but as a part in the Northern Ireland Assembly about the

possibility of extending clear's loan to the province. -- clear's

all. -- clear's all. I would include a supporter of that legislation and

would be happy to discussion with colleagues and Northern Ireland but

of course it is a devolved matter but if it would help then of course

I would. Question number two, Mr Speaker. With permission I will

answer this question along with question number five. You'd European

Arrest Warrant makes it easier to extradite foreign suspects to where

they are wanted for crimes and bring suspects back to the UK to face

justice for crimes committed here. It is the quickest and most

economical way to do these things and other member states would not be

bound to cooperate with others in the same way every left the EU. --

cooperate with us. I remember the first European piece of legislation

I delegated on, a regulation enabling us to track paedophiles

more easily across different European countries and why anybody

would wish to end that kind of cooperation between European

countries is beyond me. With the Attorney General agree with me that

the exit campaign is soft on crime and soft on the causes of crime? I

have great respect for those who argue for a British exit from the EU

but unless I believe they are wrong and for the reasons he gives, there

is considerable advantage to Britain and British citizens and being part

of the European Arrest Warrant. Just to be clear, as the Attorney General

like if we were noble not part of the European Arrest Warrant

criminals from the continent would see Britain as a safe haven because

of the extradition and concerns they would not be taken back quickly? I

think that is no doubt that the quickest and easiest way of

deporting those who are criminals and face prosecution and other

European nations is to use the European Arrest Warrant. Those who

argue for exit from the EU would have to explain what alternative

measures they would put in place to achieve the same objective. I am in

no doubt that the quickest and easiest way to do that is through

the European Arrest Warrant and any delay in that process has serious

consequences. Does my right honourable friend position take

account of the European Court of Justice ruling on the 5th of April

which effectively puts a court of horses to the Hall of the arrest

warrant procedure because it makes it clear the European court of

justice is in charge of whether or not the European Arrest Warrant can

be applied for? I don't think it is quite bad as my honourable friend

suggests and in fact I think what the European Court of Justice said

is a broadly consistent with what our own extradition act says and of

course you will note in relation to the countries that were mentioned in

that particular judgment we already succeed and extraditing people to

those countries, one of them is Romania, and he may like to note 268

people have been extradited to Romania since 2007. In the Witney

Gazette the Prime Minister was quoted as saying this about the

European Arrest Warrant, some other countries in Europe do not have our

rights and safeguards and people can languish in jail for weeks without

being charged and I'm not that shortly but those people realise

what is being done and that name. I'll be happy we would want

telephone call from the Greek, Spanish or German authorities

alleging we did something rotten holiday can then be swept off to a

continental prison? Rights we have enjoyed for centuries been stripped

away? As the Attorney General agree with the Prime Minister? I don't

know why my right honourable friend the Prime Minister wrote that

because as my honourable friend may recall the Prime Minister and other

members of the Government successfully negotiated changes to

the European Arrest Warrant to do precisely what these problems. Now

you citizens cannot be extradited unless the case to trial ready, but

unless the conduct in question would be a crime here. CPS prosecutors

what with law enforcement ages to prosecute serious crime and draw

porn cooperation to secure evidence and agree how and where -- draw upon

cooperation to secure how and when evidence can be secured. What is the

Government doing to ensure IRA terrorists are being brought back to

the UK to face justice to your? Can I assure my honourable friend cases

involving IRA suspects would be considered in just the same way as

any other case. The special crime and counterterrorism division deals

with cases of alleged terrorism. If the suspect is out with the

jurisdiction that extradition would be considered at the prosecution

evidential called test is met. I hope the Minister has seen that yet

another accused criminal has fled to Pakistan this week and isn't it a

fact we need greater European cooperation because we have no

extradition treaty with Pakistan and when a serious crime is committed to

often the perpetrator flees to Pakistan and we can't bring them

back, however heinous the crime? I entirely agree with the honourable

gentleman. I mentioned multi-jurisdictional cases, often

these perpetrators cover more than one EU country and it is vital we

have the mechanism is not just of cooperation, but of enforcement that

our membership of the EU guarantees which is why I am a strong supporter

of remaining within the EU. Number four, Mr Speaker. Under article 50

of the Treaty on the EU, if the UK were to leave the EU it would lead

to negotiating conclude a agreement with the remaining states setting

out the agreement for withdrawal. They would continue to apply to the

UK until article 50 came into force within two years if no agreement is

reached and no extension granted. Any further changes to the UK's

legal obligations will depend on any further international agreements

entered into. Newcastle has a thriving legal services sector and

many internationally renowned forms as well as two excellent degree

courses at our universities. With the Attorney General agree with me

that leaving the EU would mean we would face years of uncertainty and

confusion as to our legal framework which would necessarily undermine

the success of both our legal and financial services sector. I should

first of all say I have boundless faith in the ingenuity and

entrepreneurial spirit of our legal profession and ensure they would

find a reason. But she is right that there would be considerable

uncertainty after any departure from the European union and that is at

least an part because there is a regulatory structure in this country

was substantially depends on European regulation currently and we

would have to decide how much we wish to keep and how much to change

and she may know that progression Derek Wyatt, one of the leading

experts on European law, recently gave evidence to the house of Lords

EU committee of MPs said the following, it will take years upon

Government and to examine EU law and decide what to jettison and what to

keep. It is one of the reasons the Government believes we're better off

within the EU. Given his immense legal brain and

huge legal capabilities, will he confirm that the House today that he

would want to remain as Attorney General should this country voted to

leave the European Union so that he personally would be best placed to

negotiate a super-duper British exit agreement in double quick time? Mr

Speaker, I have no where near my honourable friend's Fiat in my

abilities, but I do think that it remains in Britain's best interests

to stay with the European Union, but if the British people decide that we

should leave, the British Government will continue to do its best for the

British public. I think the Attorney General of all people want

underestimate the scope of his scholarly cranium because clearly

the member of the Kettering does not. A condition of our membership

of the European Union is that we are also a signatory to the European

Convention on Human Rights. Can the Attorney General confirmed that this

parliament is the commitment of this government to remain acyclic Jerry

to the European Convention on Human Rights, not joined Belarus as the

only country who isn't. I am not sure that his first statement is

entirely correct, but in relation to the intention of the Government it

is very clear. We don't seek to leave the convention but we do seek

to contract a better and more sensible arrangement on human rights

law in this country. We don't think that the interpretation of the

convention by the European Court of Human Rights is always sensible and

we wish to see a good deal more common-sense brought into human

rights law in the future. I regret that that is not an opinion shared

by Her Majesty 's opposition. I appreciate his hands are tied

somewhat in that no one in the campaign has not been clear about

what we would be leaving too, but surely his officials will have made

some assessment as to the map of the legislative time that would be taken

up by this Parliament trying to pick 43 years of our involvement in

European laws, rules and regulations. I quoted to the House

the remarks of Professor Wyatt when he was giving evidence in the other

place and there is no doubt there would be considerable time and

effort required. Of course it is difficult to be specific because it

depends on what alternative arrangements are sought

post-departure from the European Union, but I think again the

honourable gentleman is right to say that the onus is on those who wish

to lead to explain what the word would be like if we did. Is not the

case that is very simple to explain what it would mean, it would mean

that this Parliament and our court would take back control of our human

rights legislation. That is the simple matter. Does the Attorney

General agree? The human rights laws within European law are extremely

limited. The Charter of fundamental rights within the European Union Law

can and does not create new rights and of course as my honourable

friend knows the European Convention on Human Rights is a separate

institution. But I think he is wrong to suggest this would be simple in

any way. It would be extraordinarily congregated and it would take a very

long time. I'll answer questions exam seven together. The CPS

recently revived its social media guidelines which of course are

publicly available and they are subject to a current consultation

which will result in the publication of finalised guidelines on the use

serious offences later in the year. Does he agree that the effect of

online abuse on mental health particularly among young people can

be very damaging and will he heard social media to actively engage with

the CPS and other agencies to root out bad and poor behaviour and

signpost clearly the support available in law to victims. I am

grateful. Sometimes online abuse can actually worse than face-to-face

abuse because it is all pervading and doesn't particularly in the case

of young people leave them at the school gate or give them privately

at home. The DPP has indeed met a number of social media providers and

the Crown Prosecution Service will continue to work with them on

measures to improve the reporting and prosecution of this type of

abuse. Even I have been trolled on Twitter. I don't know whether it was

moment or someone else. People doubting the problems of my hair,

can you believe that? But a friend of mine has a young son is 16, he

has also been trolled on Twitter and he didn't take it as likely as I do.

The poor boy has harmed himself. It is a very serious matter. I am

interested to hear the reply. What steps can we take to deter young

people from bullying other young people on Twitter and Facebook and

other social media? I am naturally reticent to trespass upon the

Bailiwick of my honourable friend's air, so I will confine my remarks to

the serious issues that he raises about the mental health impact upon

young people. There is work being done in terms of training so that

Crown Prosecution Service prosecutors can actually help enable

victims and users to report abuse and in particular to make sure that

the offending content can be removed by internet service providers. As a

follow-on to the last question, what actions are being taken in

conjunction with the Department for Education and schools in particular

to try and curtail the amount of online abuse for young people? The

honourable gentleman will be aware that there is a massive amount of

work not only going on by the Department for Education but also

from the third sector about cyber bullying and the effects on young

people and I think the combined approach that is being taken in

schools, the length and breadth this country, is that only alerting the

dangers to young people but also empowering them to make complaints

so that they do not have to suffer in silence. The UK works through the

European Union to amplify its work to promote and protect human rights

and democracy around the world increasing the UK's influence on a

range of issues. When 28 member states speak out against the most

areas violations of human rights that can help set the agenda at the

UN and other international organisations. Those are viable ways

in which the UK contributed to use. The EU Charter reflects wider

international standards and obligations which the UK has a

history of championing. By moving away from the EU Charter we risk

undermining human rights and respect for international law. What advice

has the Attorney General giving on weakening of legal human rights

safeguards that could follow? If the honourable lady is referring to the

European Union Charter of fundamental rights as I said a

moment or so ago, that structure does not create new rights for

British citizens and protocol 30 of the treaty makes that very clear. So

I don't think there would be very significant consequence to departure

in that way. But what I do think is that there is considerable advantage

to the UK in communicating its views and aspirations on human rights

protection and just in this country but abroad if we were no longer able

to act through the medium of the European Union as we do through

other international organisations. The Justice Secretary recently told

the Justice Select Committee that as far as he was concerned the

framework of human rights across the UK was a reserved matter. Given the

Attorney General advises the Government on legal issues can he

explain why the Government's view is that it is reserved when it is not

included in the exhaustive list of reservations in schedule five of the

Scotland Act? As he knows, it is the Government view and my beauty that

in relation to any change to the Human Rights Act -- my view. It is

not a devolved matter, it is a reserved matter. That is the issue

on which my Right Honourable friend will shortly be bringing forward

proposals. The Shadow Attorney General, the honourable member for

Kingston upon Harrow East cannot be with us today because he is busy

changing nappies. May we congratulate him. On the birth of

his first baby, a beautiful daughter. Stella made. We wish him

and his partner all the best. -- made. With the Attorney General but

if the UK left the EU it would only be human rights in Scotland that

would be affected? Surely they would be a question over the whole

devolution process in Wales and Northern Ireland? And we shouldn't

forget that the agreement that gave us the institutions in Northern

Ireland took membership of the EU as a given and if the UK left the EU,

this would lead to unwelcome uncertainties? Can I start by adding

to her congratulations to the Shadow Attorney General for the new arrival

in his household? We wish them all well and can I also congratulate her

for taking on her new and I'm sure temporary but nonetheless very

important response abilities in the dispatch box. She knows because she

is heard said a pleasure for that I take the view of protection of human

rights in this country can perfectly be undertaken by the British

Government and British courts here in Britain. However there is no

doubt that where we to leave the European Union there would be a

range of complexities that would follow. Not all of which are the

ones that we have discussed. There is no doubt in my mind that because

of those additional complexities and because I think that on balance

there is huge advantage to the European Union and Britain remaining

in it, that is the right decision. All tax evasion prosecutions are

conducted under domestic tax law legislation and no distinction is

made in central records between offshore tax evasion cases and other

tax prosecution cases and prosecutions but I can tell him the

total number of convictions since 2010 deferred tax offences is 2647.

The minister will now know that there is industrial scale money

going of scoreboard through the revelations in the Panama Papers. --

offshore. I'm wondering what role his apartment would be taking in

advising the Prime Minister's task force on that task evasion and

whether he expects any illegality to come out of that review and if so

what resources he has got to ensure prosecutions are taking place goes

like as he may know the Serious Fraud Office is contributing to that

task force. That is an agency that I superintend. There is ?10 million

worth of new money available to support the work of that task force

and they were expecting to say, the question of who gets prosecuted if

anyone as a result of that work is not for politicians to determine, it

is for independent prosecutors but I'm confident that the GPS, the

Serious Fraud Office have the resources they need in order to

pursue this and that he will also know, the Government is providing

additional tools by which that can be done including the creation of

new offences both for individuals and for corporate entities which

failed to take the necessary action to prevent the facilitation of tax

evasion. Tax evasion is not a victimless crime and tax avoidance

has consequences too. Both take money out of hard-pressed public

services and people who work in them. Money that could be used to

fund more police, hospitals, schools and other local services all of

which have had severe cuts under this government. The fact remains

that with a growing tax gap and a very limited number of prosecutions,

-- prosecutions. How can the public be confident that the Government is

doing everything it can to crack down on overseas tax evaders given

to performance to date? I don't accept that the performance to date

has been ineffective. There have been successful prosecutions of

those who evade tax and as she will know it isn't simply criminal

prosecution that exists in order to take action against those who avoid

or evade tax, there are also civil penalties are available to HMRC and

the bringing a substantial amount of money as a result of the actions

that agency kicks. There is always more to do. That is why I have

highlighted to particular measures in the field of enforcement and

criminal prosecution which this government is taking. I look forward

to the Labour Party support for them. Questions to the Minister for

Women and Equalities. Question number