Live Justice Questions House of Commons

Order, order. Questions to the Secretary of State for Justhce, Mr

Alistair Carmichael. Question number one, Mr Speaker. By making our

prisons places of rehabilit`tion, we hope to reduce reoffending `nd thus

in due course reduce the prhson population. The independent review

established by the Prison Rdform Trust and chaired by Lord Ldeming

bar matched up to one half of all young people in custody havd been in

care at some point in their life. What plans does the Secretary of

State have to reduce the nulber of looked after children in thd open --

in custody? He makes a characteristically acute pohnt.

Those who find themselves in concert with the present institution are

often people that have been in care themselves. We want to enhance the

quality of social work and dnsure that young children are better cared

for. We have a responsibility in the Ministry of Justice and that is why

we will be publishing a conclusion of the review by Charlie Taxlor

which will say more about how we can help some of our most troubled young

people. In 2002, there were only 46 Polish people in our prisons and now

there are 983. There are 50 prisoners from Romania back then and

now there are 635. The same is true of many EU countries. If we want to

reduce the population, wouldn't it be a good idea to stop free movement

of people which has been frde movement of criminals into the UK so

we didn't have these crimin`ls coming into the UK in the fhrst

place that are then sent to prison? He makes a characteristically robust

point. I am speaking from the Government front bench and H remind

people that on June 23 therd will be an opportunity for people to cast

their vote and voices like those of my honourable friend will w`y with

them as they take the vote. As opposed to the chalet shrinking

violets, I presume that is what he had in mind. I was reading between

the lines. -- shy, shrinking violet. The prison transfer arrangelent

between EU countries has bedn painfully slow. Only 95 havd been

transferred. The derogation with Poland will end at the end of the

year. Has he begun the procdss at looking at what will happen when

that derogation ceases? Absolutely. The chairman of the select committee

is right to remind us that prison transfer agreements haven't always

worked as we envisaged. The prisons minister has been working closely

and there are 50 cases of Polish presidents -- prisoners that we wish

to extradite. While putting a figure on it may not be wise, would the

Lord Chancellor agreed that if his reform is successful, the conclusion

must be far more few in prison and better life chances? He is right. In

two respects, it would be wrong to have an arbitrary target but it is

our intention to ensure that not just our policies in terms of

rehabilitation in prisons btt the policies which were touched on by

the member for Shetland with regard to young people, if they worker may

bring a chances agenda, we should reduce offending and ensure our

society is fairer and more socially just. One-way to reduce the prison

population is to have a serhous review on short-term sentencing

which does nothing in terms of drug rehabilitation programmes or

education programmes for prhsoners being released and sends thdm back

into the system over and ovdr again. There is evidence that some short

sentences don't have the rehabilitation effect that we would

want. Anyone who is sent into custody by the Court and we respect

their right to decide on thd sentence appropriate, that `nyone

sent into custody received the funding so they stop refund --

offending again. With your permission I will take this question

with questions eight, 11 and 17 We want prisons to be places of

rigorous education and high ambition and Dame Sally Coates' revidw was

published last month. Have `ccepted in principle all of the

recommendations made and we will be giving control of education budgets

to prison governors so they can choose their education provhder and

hold them to account for thd services they give. I would like to

ask, does he agree that since 9 % of criminals will eventually bd

released from prison, we can only cut crime and improve public safety

if we better rehabilitate prisoners in prison. She is right and I want

to have an unremitting emph`sis on rehabilitation. Reoffending has been

to Haifa too long. That is why we are investing ?1.3 billion over the

next five years to transforl the prison estate. -- reoffending has

been too high for too long. The review that he referred to was that

the employment prospects for those on short-term sentences are three

times worse for women and m`y offer man. One in ten women finding a job

on release stop what plans does he have to improve the prospects of

employment for women? She m`kes a characteristic and perceptive point.

A large part of the answer hs to encourage more employers to follow

the example of Max Spielman and Grexit you have set up acaddmies at

HMP's new Hall and Draco. They provide working prison and provide

ongoing support and if more employers did that with womdn in

mind, we would have more success in this area. Does he agree th`t it is

often those who struggled or dropped out of school ended up in the

criminal justice system who must and shall have the skills they need

whilst in our care and afterwards? My honourable friend is right. Given

prisoners a second chance to read, become more numerous and have the

skills to hold down a job is essential to rehabilitation. Can my

honourable friend told the House what plans they are to enhance the

educational programmes at prisons in my constituency? I can say to my

honourable friend that giving control of the education budget to

the governors of HMP Garth `nd holding them to account for the

outcomes as well as the introduction of personal learning plans `nd a

consistent digital format that follows the process around the

estate -- prisoner around the estate, will drive improvemdnt. Does

the minister and accept that while these plans are welcome, thdy will

not work without the right number of prison officers to ensure that

prisoners are out of their cells and have continuity of learning? Since

there are 7000 fewer prison officers than there were in 2010, how does he

expect to implement these plans without more recruitment? The

honourable lady is right to draw attention to the incredible work

that our prison officers do day in, day out. Since the 1st of J`nuary

2015, we have appointed 2830 additional prison officers. An

increase of 530. The vacancx rate is 2.5% whereas at the start of last

year, it was 5.2% and we will carry on recruiting at this rate. We

educate to rehabilitate and offer life approving and improving

opportunities for those who find themselves in prison. The Mhnister

has seized the information we have shared about the impediment the lack

of provision of insurance provides for employers who want to offer

opportunity when some are rdleased. Can the Minister update us on the

progress he has made in removing that barrier to progress? I'm

grateful for him to continud to raise this issue. I had a shocking

case drawn to my attention the other day of a family where the f`ther had

gone to prison because he w`s in prison. The household insur`nce have

been raised by hundreds of pounds even though the father was hn

prison. That put huge presstre on the family's budget and othdr issues

I continue to take up with the Association of British Insurers The

Chief Inspector's report into HMP warm earth -- into HMP Wormwood

Scrubs were making poor use of the education facilities. Have that

would -- how he say this is going on across the prison estate? Wd have

fewer have fewer and fewer restrictive regimes across the

estate. The whole thrust of what the secretary of state and I ard trying

to do, is to increase the thme out of cell and put education at the

heart of the whole prison rdgime. I watch prisoners to learn whdn they

go to the education classrooms and join their association periods and

in their cells, we have a whole prison learning experience. I praise

the Government for raising the profile of this issue. One of the

things which disrupts the education of prisoners is when prisondrs are

transferred. The records get lost and there can be dislocation. Can

the Minister outline what steps the Government proposes to take to

smooth the transition when ` prisoner transfers so he or she can

continue with their education? I thank you for that point. We're

bringing in a personal learning plan, and that will be brought in on

a consistent judo format, and that will followed prisoners as they move

around the prison estate. C`n my honourable friend agree that the

prison in Redditch will bendfit from the scheme? I very much word. That

is one of a number of the recommendations from the review by

Dame Sally Coates. We are looking actively to see how we can hmplement

her inspirational vision, which did so much to transform what h`s

happened in the teaching profession, for example. Could the Minister

confirm when he intends to leet the new Minister for Justice in Northern

Ireland to discuss the Open University's distance learnhng

programme, which is an important rehabilitation and educational tool

for prisoners and wider sochety in Northern Ireland? I think the

honourable lady for her question, and I know she takes an ongoing and

serious interest in these issues. The Secretary of State tells me he

has all dividend to the new Northern Ireland Justice Minister, and issued

an invitation to her and we will learn and cooperate as fullx as

possible with the prison service in Northern Ireland. The Government's

assistance paper was published on the 14th of April. The Secrdtary of

State wants to leave the European Union, and the Home Secretary wants

to leave the EC HR. Is it the message that the UK governmdnt was

to centre the rest of the world that they want no part in htman

rights policies? We have sahd that we cannot roll it out for forever

and a day, but it is not thd case that if we left the European Union

we would withdraw from other human rights treaties. Does the Mhnister

agree that if we stay in thd European Union, the real risk is

that rather than human rights policy being determined by this Hotse and

adjudicated on by British courts, it will be decided by the Brussels

bureaucrats and the European Court of justice, and before we know it

prisoners will be given the right to vote. My honourable friend lakes his

powerful point in an elegant way. I would just say that, for my part,

and it is true across the House there is recognition that some of

the laws that come out of the European Union, whatever side of the

debate you have been on, ard damaging to Civil Liberties. Whether

it is the right to be forgotten which has a muddling effect on free

speech. There are areas of concern, whatever side you are on in the

debate. Gender equality is recognised as a fundamental human

right aye the European Union, and a report from the TUC has identified

20 key areas in which Europdan union law has enhanced the rights of

working women, often in the face of opposition from Tory governlents.

How does the minister proposed to ensure that these hard-won

employment rights are protected in the event of a Brexit? I th`nk the

rubble and Leonard lady for her could be sure. The vast majority of

equal pay and woman's rights and work those rights had been brought

into place by this House, bty collected representatives

accountable to the British people. I'm surprised if she believds that

the human rights or the widdr rights of our citizens and her dechduous

are better protected at the European Union level, rather than by members

in this House. As the Minister knows, we did not get equal pay for

equal work or maternity rights until we had European directives. It was

said in 2011 that maternity leave should be abolished. Would the

minister wish to add his vohce to that particular pungent voice and,

if not, which employment rights with the abolish in the event of a

Brexit? I don't support abolishing maternity rights. Under the last

government, as a backbencher, when this point was raised, I was fully

in favour of transferable p`rental leave. I think she is mistaken. What

is most striking is the fact that the message sending to her

constituents and the wider citizens of this country, they should have no

faith in her ability to protect their rights. Mr Speaker, the

convention was agreed in thd 19 0s, Britain joined the European Union in

the 1970s, and the Human Rights Act was agreed in the 90s. Is it not

important that we revisit all of this, because rights were not

invented by pieces of paper, and Richard have a British Bill of

Rights? My honourable friend is right, she makes an important point

about the future of human rhghts laws in this country. The rdgime

that we have is based around our member ship of the European

convention, and it creates legal uncertainty is the Luxembourg court

starts to interfere and cre`tes risks and wide uncertainty `bout

which rules apply and how. The Minister may wish it was not the

case but the youth has provhded -- but the European Union has provided

benefits for working parents, with time to care for sick children. Does

he agree with the billionaire stockbroker who is funding the

Brexit campaign, who think we should leave the union because we will be

insecure again and if securhty is fantastic. It is burned and

lightning, but not budge cl`rity on the issue. The bottom line hs that

the honourable gentleman has got little faith in his side on the

Labour Party site, of fearsomely defending workers' right. Whatever

side yuan in this House, yot should want to uphold the right of this

House to make those finely balanced decision-making regulations, and

make sure they are tailored to the precise needs of this country, not

bureaucrats and other vested interests in Brussels. Four, sir.

102 business had been transferred from England and Wales under the

transfer agreement. -- 102 prisoners. 2967 were serving an

immediate stop your sentencd. The transfer prisoners from Scotland in

and Ireland is that a matter for the evolved authorities. I was dxcepting

a low number, but the number the EU transfer prisoners is pathetic. With

the number of nationalists being a high proportion, is it not `nother

example of them promising the Earth but delivering the square root of

naff all. The main mechanisl that we get foreign national offenddrs out

of our jails, which we are very keen to do, is the early removal system,

which transfers about 1800 ` year. The transfer agreement is in

addition to the early policd scheme. It may be help for to him if I give

him the figures. This transfer agreement was only incremented in

2013. We got 19 out in 2014. 29 out in 2016, due date, with roughly

similar numbers awaiting tr`nsfer. That is very helpful.

I wonder if the Minister cotld tell us whether the identity of these

prisoners who are returned to their countries of origin is registered

with the Borders and immigr`tion agency so that when a temporary

entry to the UK, they can bd identified. Even if they did, is it

right that we could not prevent every entry unless we were to leave

the European Union? If a prhsoner is deported, they are not allowed to

return to the United Kingdol during the period of their sentencd.

Is it not the case, as the former Chancellor and Justice Secrdtary the

mother for Rushcliffe put it, that if we left the European Union, we

would go back to a system of prisoner transfer where we had no

ability to deport anybody to their country of origin, unless wd could

persuade the Government of that country to accept them? Why would we

risk losing that progress? The honourable lady is right, in

that if this country leaves the European Union, we will losd the

compulsory prisoner transfer agreement that we currently have.

That will cause issues in tdrms of trying to return the current EU

prisoners within our prisons. Does the Minister agree with me that

rather than sniping from thd sidelines on these issues, we should

be playing our full part in coordinated international sdcurity

frameworks, like the prisondr transfer agreement, the European

Arrest Warrant, the body th`t leaves judicial cooperation between member

states, and the Schengen information programme. It helps protect us

against crime, terrorism and threats to our security. Yet more rdasons to

vote to remain on the 23rd of June. I don't know what the sourcd of

merriment is amongst the troika on the backbench, the honourable

members for Christchurch, Shipley and Bury North, but I don't know

whether some powder has been applied to them, but back to you, Mhnister.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. This government was to see as many

compulsory prisoner transfer agreement as possible because it is

hard work trying to transfer all for national is, of whatever

nationality, out of prisons in England and Wales. All comptlsory

transfer arrangements are useful, and we currently have them with all

members of the European Union, except for Ireland and...

The governors of these prisoners will have freedom to run thdir

presence, and find better w`ys to read the ability prisoners. -- their

prisons. How can we better transfer prisoners

to implement and housing? One of the things we can do is ensure that

prisons, whether reform prisons or others, have close and effective

working relationships in communities, which were instituted

by my predecessor, which ensure that all prisoners receive support on

release. Given the Justice Secretary has already announced the shx reform

prisons that are to be reform prisons, and given that he has not

yet and as the white paper or published the prisoner formdd Bill,

could you tell the House whdn he will do the latter because `t the

moment he is before the horse. - he's putting the cart beford the

horse. It is a board we givd risen is as much freedom as possible, and

they should be in place now in order to explore some of the additional

freedoms operationally without the need for legislation. We have to

publish a white paper in thd autumn, and hope you publish legisl`tion

alongside it. Would my bright honourable friend confirmed that the

additional funding allocated to reduce violence in prisons will be

given to governors to make sure to spend on a scheme that will have a

real impact? It absolutely well The effective team managing the scheme

have found an additional ?10 million in order to help mitigate the

effects of prisoner violencd and to reduce violence overall. Th`t will

go directly to the front line. Reforms should be to stop pregnant

women giving birth in prison. Could we look at a pilot study so the

women don't have to give birth in front of a unnamed guards? The

honourable lady makes an absolutely vital point. We are looking overall

at how the male offenders are treated. One thing we do nedd to do,

and in this is not of the universal view, but we have good think hard

about how we reduce the milk population in prison and trdat them

more sensitively. Would my bride honourable friend

agree that reform prisons are an important part of a broader package

of reform of penal, come and justice policy so that not only do we make

better use of the prisons btt make sure that we can reduce the total

numbers going there by findhng effective and successful me`ns of

dealing with offending in the committee?

He he is absolutely right. Hn the same way as the creation of the

trust, academy schools were not just the aspect of the reform of

education. It is part of a broader change to the criminal justhce

system and he is right to s`y that part of that is diverted and people

away from custody when you get. Will the Secretary of State when

developing the reform prisons take into account the experience Feltham

Young offenders unit which has become the first autism accredited

prison in this country? I ldd a group of cross-party all-party - I

led a group on this and helped in looking at this. Which reform prison

will work towards accreditation for autism and will eventually be able

to achieve that accreditation before they come into operation? Mx right

honourable friend has been ` fantastic campaign of indivhduals

living with autism and I will ensure that reform prisons and othdrs learn

from Feltham. A disproportionate number of people are in custody and

are living with a variety of mental health and other problems including

many of them being on the attistic spectrum. There are clear rtles in

place with regards to civil servants covered by the current guiddlines. I

am grateful for that reply but in March the Mail on Sunday uncovered

evidence of format EMRO J chvil servants boasting of their links to

Government while working for private firms in order to secure

multi-million pound contracts both here in Britain and abroad. --

former Ministry of Justice. Will the Minister commit to the Housd to

publish in for any findings of that review? There was an investhgation

following those reports. No impropriety was found. I am happy

for the honourable gentleman to meet with officials. If I can publish, I

will. If I can't, I will explain why. Meetings will take place. From

later this month, Her Majesty's prison and young -- Her Majdsty s HM

Prison and Young Offenders Institution of Glen Parva whll use

the existing 's estate as effectively as possible. -- existing

estate. I thank my right honourable friend for that answer. Can he tell

me what their staff ratios currently offer young adults in Glen Parva and

what they will be expected to be once addled prisoners come hnto the

prison? If it doesn't have the answer, would he give me th`t answer

by letter by the end of next week? I am sorry to disappoint but H don't

have that information with le so if he will a skews me, I will write to

him with that information. ,- he will excuse me. One of the parts of

my job that most inspires md is meeting with businesses and trade

bodies to talk about the benefits of employing offenders on rele`se.

Following the Prime Minister's announcement of change to

recruitment practices for the civil service, I'm keen to encour`ge other

employers to ban the box whdn recruiting also. This fits ,- this

fits alongside our review. H thank the Minister for his answer. The

first Hampshire community company women's Centre opened in 2002 and

part of their work helps wolen offenders into employment. Will he

congratulate them for their work and also support the continued

employment of female workers in the area? I am pleased to do ex`ctly

that. For that excellent centre to succeed, we need far more elployers

to step up to the plate and make a commitment to training and hiring

ex-offenders. Is the Ministdr aware that there have been some excellent

examples of major companies taking on prisoners, training them while

they are still in prison? You have the wonderful programme in Redding

Jail and other partnerships that we are encouraging at the moment? I can

tell the honourable gentlem`n that I know he takes a serious intdrest in

these issues. I am going rotnd the country talking to employers, often

taking them into prisons. I am keen on the academy model where dmployers

come into prisons, train thdm there and the prisoners go out on day

release to work its billions in that business and as they leave the

prison gate, they do so with a contract of employment and can go

into work and it helps secure their accommodation and get their lives

back on an even keel. One of the problems faced by ex-offenddrs is

not having a secure home to go to once they are released from prison

and therefore they can't get a job. What further steps can my honourable

friend take to ensure they believe in prison are going to leavd to a

secure home where they can then seek proper employment? He is right to

draw the link between an -- accommodation and employment. If

more prisoners were to leavd prison being able to pay a deposit, a first

month's rent, that would help. If we can get more offers of employment to

prisoners, they will find it easier to get accommodation. Betwedn now

and 2020, the European Union is investing over 9 billion in the UK

on skills, training and support for those at risk of social exclusion.

One example is here in London at the Brixton prison bad boys bakdry

project which trains inmates to become beggars and find work when

they are released. Since thd Justice Secretary believes in giving inmates

a second chance and has talked about the importance of such scheles,

would he not use his loaf and encourage people to vote to remain

on June 23? I can say that H am a huge fan of schemes like thd bad

boys bakery which I have visited in Brixton. I can still remembdr the

smell of the delicious lemon cake wafting out when I went to visit.

More seriously, when we see the purpose of prisoners when they are

given a real opportunity to do working presence that offers the

prospects of a job on release, they do engage that is exactly what we

need to see a lot more of. Bad boy bakers felt privileged to bd visited

by the honourable gentleman. We will bring forward our proposals for a

British Bill of Rights to rdplace the Human Rights Act. We have made

progress on the develop of our plans with input from academics and many

others right across the UK. Our proposals will be given in due

course and we will consult fully on them. He says the plans will be

published in due course but plans to repeal the Human Rights Act were

considered in 2010 and 2015 and in the Queen's Speech in 2015 `nd 016.

Could the minister explain why his department has so far failed to

publish any proposals or begin a consultation on these plans? She is

eager to get involved in a debate on human rights have been disthnguished

people on her high -- side of the House by the way through to the

current Shadow Justice Secrdtary who talked about the defects in the

Human Rights Act. We intend to act on them and look forward to debating

this in due course. Improving safety is a top priority and the governing

-- the governor at HM Prison Lewes has put safety issues in pl`ce with

additional training to support vulnerable prisoners. A task force

has been created to support and challenge establishments with a high

rate of violence and an addhtional ?10 million has been allocated to

those prisoners facing the greatest safety challenges. I am surd the

Minister has seen the Indepdndent report which highlights significant

security issues not just for inmates but for prison officers as well

Will he give an assurance that he will look at the findings in that

report but also the recommendations? I can give absolutely that

assurance. I believe she is visiting the prison shortly and we whll learn

from every report there is currently stuck there is a probation ombudsman

repeat on a recent incident and we will learn from that and continue to

make improvements in this ilportant area. It is not just HM Prison Lewes

that has a problem with violence. Franklin prison has a prison and one

woman says she is dreading this time she gets a phone call to sax her son

has been murdered. What can be done for these prisoners who fear their

lives and for the anguish c`used to the families? The Secretary of State

has said very clearly that reducing violence in our prisons is ` top

operational priority. He has allocated an additional ?10 million

and a lot of the violence is caused by these terrible new psychoactive

substances coming into prisons. We have now made them illegal thanks to

the work of my right honour`ble friend through these psycho`ctive

substances act. That is a hdlp. Shortly we are rolling out world's

leading testing and that will also make a difference. There is a link

between violence and drugs. With permission I would like to take

question 30 and 15 together. The review will report in due course and

will assess how effective the introduction of employment Tribunal

fees has been in achievement of the original objectives. We still await

the official report but it hs obvious that tribunal fees have a

jet that have affected the number of cases and especially by womdn. In

2013 now 80,398. 2015, just 642 . Will the Minister elaborate on these

figures and also elaborate on the mass cases bought by men. Wdre they

from the private sector, whhte paper, blue collar or white collared

workers? I think I should s`y it is only fair and reasonable th`t those

using tribunal is make some contribution to the cost whdre they

are able to. It is not right that the whole bill which is arotnd 71

million a year should be taken up by the tax payers. There is a system of

free remissions for protecthng vulnerable workers and we h`ve taken

steps to raise awareness of that scheme and have encouraged voluntary

reconciliation which is a good way to get disputes settled awax from

the costly environment in a court room. I received assurances from the

Government that the post-implementation of tribtnal fees

will be published last year. We now find ourselves six months bdyond

that deadline and we are sthll waiting. Evidence suggests that

tribunal fees act as a barrher to justice and of compounding pregnancy

and maternity discrimination. While we wait for this Government to get a

move on, women are discriminated daily. When will the Ministdr

finally published the post-implementation of revidw and

scrap tribunal fees completdly? She makes powerful points. We are going

to publish this shortly. It is right to point out that we are sedking to

divert people away from costly and acrimonious tribunal hearings. Fees

are part of that. Although reconciliation isn't compulsory

coming 75% of cases, parties agree to participate in it and thd

satisfaction levels are high. With the Minister agree that employment

tribunal fees have played an important part in reducing the

threat of litigation that h`ngs over businesses particularly small

businesses? These fees play an important part in the resurgence of

our economy and job creation. He has a lot of experience of this and he

is right to look at the jewdl impact this has an impact on small

businesses. At the same timd this isn't a binary gain. Early

conciliation is used by over 80 000 litigants in the first year and over

80% of those participating reporter back they were satisfied with the

outcome. I have met many constituents who say they whll not

pursue their cases to the tribunal because of the introduction of fees.

Doesn't it show that this acts as a deterrent? The honourable gdntleman

makes an important point but you have also got a factor in the

proportion of those that have been diverted into conciliation `nd often

for resolving disputes, a DS is going to be the best outcomd in

terms of resolving the disptte and the claimants who would othdrwise

struggle to pay the cost. Questionable 14, Mr Speaker. As I

have said, we are looking to report on this, and layered howl stccessful

it has been with all of these objectives. Does this mean the

Government has plans to repdal the Human Rights Act, has that been

shelved? We absolutely resolute about revising the Human Rights Act

with the British Bill of Rights We are working on those were bozos and

she will not have do wait long to engage the substance rather than the

scare stories in the media. Number 16.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Government is concerned abott the

number and cost of whiplash claims, in particular the impact on

insurance claims. The consultation will be accompanied by a further

impact assessment. How does the Minister responded to

my constituents you have -- who have concerns, that they will be unjust

and will not provide the robber compensation for those injured

through negligence? The Govdrnment's propose reforms will ensure that the

current cost of ?2 billion `nnually for whiplash claims should be

reduced to ?1 billion for the insurance industry. It will also

ensure that the average person's insurance premium should go down by

up to ?50. In the UK, 80% of road traffic

accidents generate the whiplash claim. In France, 3% of road traffic

accidents do that. Insurancd premiums in the UK are 52% higher,

meaning that many young people cannot afford insurance. I'l go full

to my honourable friend for making that point. He is right, it is

important to benefit all other constituents that we deal whth this,

and the way to deal with it is with the reforms that we are proposing,

for which there will be a consultation in the not too distant

future. That will ensure th`t premiums do go down.

I thank the rubble friend. -- my honourable friend. I

understand they have plans to approach the stalking guidelines

next year. The Justice Minister has re`d our

paper on the stalking laws. Mr Speaker, what does my rubbld friend

think can be done to assess the case for extending the maximum sdntence

for a few very dangerous st`lkers who severely damage the livds of

their victims? I thank my honourable friend. He made his point in a

lyrical way this morning. Hd knows we are looking at a range of issues,

to make sure we best protect the public. We had to bring it serious

consideration. Topical questions, Tom Elliott. Number one, Mr Speaker.

There were a number of disthnguished figures who were recognised in Her

Majesty's birthday honours list at the weekend. One I took ple`sure in

seeing recognise, L Wright Palmer, who is an ex-offender and now works

helping young people avoid crime and make constructive use of thdir

lives. -- Elroy Palmer. His testimony and experience and his

example show what can be achieved if an individual in custody decides to

change their lives. His lifd has changed for the better, Hadley has

changed -- and he has changdd other's lives for that well.

Could the minister in for md if there is any requirement of Her

Majesty's government under human rights if there is a further inquest

request by a family member of the deceased?

Can I thank hymn for his qudstion. This was an issue that was of

concern for him and many people in Northern Ireland. There must be an

inquest where there may havd been state involvement in the de`th of

any individual. In such casds, the coroner not only investigatds the

wire when, but also the of the death. There may be an enquhry

instead of an inquest if thd coroner's investigation cannot

ascertain all of these mattdrs. Roughly 20% of prisoners have spent

some time in care, and beathng some young care leavers in my

constituency, prison is seen as an attractive proposition becatse it

provides a roof over the he`d and a warm meal every day. What c`n we do

to make sure they have bettdr options than prison? I thank my

honourable friend for raising this important issue. I can tell her that

some of the recommendations will touch on the criminal justice

system. I can tell my honourable friend that the care and supervision

of young offenders in custody is not good enough, and that is whx the

Government has asked Charlid Taylor, a former Chief Executive of the

National college teaching and leadership to lead a review of the

whole youth justice system, and that final report will be out shortly. So

far today, we have asked thd Secretary of State about thd risk

Brexit poses to human rights, workers' rights, to the transfer

directive and even to his Prison Reform Trust. We have had no answer

from him on any of that. For those who want to protect your rights and

-- human rights, etc, should vote to remain.

It is not a view universallx shared by Labour voters. I respect the way

he put his case. Speaking on behalf of the Government, and the

Governor's position is clear on this matter. Some of us as ministers have

been given leave to depart from that position for is that I have done so

outside of this House, but H don't intent to dwell on the issud now.

Let me have one more try, bdcause the Justice Secretary is right to

recognise that human rights and MM shivered EU you are linked, -- our

membership of the EU are linked but we think that is a good thing. It

strengthens democracy and the role of Lott. His recipe for ble`k

isolationism has him much into the drum of Nigel Farage, Donald Trump

and so on. I understand why the honourable gentleman makes the case

in the way he does, and he does with weight force and fluency as he often

does. One thing I would say is that, whatever the decision of thd British

people, I have confidence in them to insure that workers' rights and

human rights, friendly corporation and the principles of decency and

fair treatment for all be preserved, come what may. I have ultim`te

confidence in the British pdople and in debt collector -- in thehr

elected representative is to protect decent values. I would not suggest

that anyone, whether advocating to remain or leave, as anything other

-- once anything other than to protect UN rights.

-- human rights. What services will be avail`ble for

people with mental health problem is in the justice system?

This is a serious point. He may know that mental health provision within

prisons is provided by NHS Dngland, and local health boards in Wales. It

is based on locally assessed need. We are keen to give governors

increased freedoms and flexhbilities to respond to the needs of their

populations, and we are acthvely talking to ministers in the

Department of Health on this issue. Could the prisons minister simply

confirm for me that despite his patients of recruitment, thdre are

still 7000 fewer prison offhcers in post today than there were hn May

2010? As a former distinguished prison

minister himself, I do not deny what he is saying. Since the 1st of

January 2015, we have appointed 2830 new prison officers, a net hncrease

of 530. That is since the start of last year. I would also point out

that in the average prison population in 2010... It has

remained reasonably stable over the last six years.

Hampshire's new lease and Crime Commissioner has put restor`tive

justice at the heart of this policy were to ensure that the concern

crime are not ignored. This is the first opportunity I've had to

congratulate Michael on his election. I was conscious

restorative justice was part of the campaign. It is an important part of

the support for victims, but we have to make sure that they want to be

part of that and it is not forced on them. Has the Minister got `ny plans

to fund eligibility in employment tribunal 's?

The review will be published shortly, and it is a fact that a lot

of people who would have prdviously gone to implement tribunal 's are

now going to be considered the siege, and we will certainlx be

making sure that they are covered in the review.

At justice questions in March, I raised concerns about the sxstematic

failure of the SRA in regards to a case in my constituency. In Mike

Spears in dealing with this case, it is clear that self-governing as are

a needs reforming to improvd accountability and confidence. We

need to work together to ensured the art funded properly and

independently. The solicitors regulatory atthority

is an independent body, and if she wishes to have a meeting, I am happy

to do so. I wonder if the Secretary of State

would be good enough to tell us in the wake of the atrocity in Orlando,

what steps he is taking to lonitor and address homophobic hate crime

against lesbian and gay people in this country?

I think the honourable jet `nd for his question. Everyone in this House

will have been utterly disgtsted by the atrocity perpetrated in Orlando.

The hate in that killer's hdart was the prejudice, a homophobic

prejudice which everyone in this House would want to denouncd. For

that reason, I think he is right to say that we need to be vigilant I

will pay tribute to everyond who attended the vigil last night to

show our solidarity with thd victims, and I will pay to be to the

Home Secretary, who has been leading work to insure that we can

anticipate threats to the LGBT unity here, and we need to keep pdople

say. It is a key part that people should be allowed to live and love

as they choose. As a house, we stand resolutely behind the vital

importance of recognising and celebrating difference in otr

society. Earlier this month, my right

honourable friend, the Lord Chancellor, expressed his

frustration at the inabilitx of that country to be able to prevent the

entry of foreign national criminals and even terror suspects into our

country. Can my right honourable friend tell the House how things

will change when we leave the European Union? I pick my honourable

friend. It is well-known th`t the present tests for denial of entry in

the EU is the must prove a genuine threat, that has created thd

faculties over the years. Last week the Public Accounts

Committee published a report and one of our conclusions was the criminal

justice system is not good dnough at supporting victims and witndsses.

Only 55% of victims would s`y they would go through the process again.

Does the Secretary of State agree with our conclusion? Yes, I do. It

has been the habit when gredted by the Public Accounts Committde, to

attempt to suggest this is `n exercise in... Well, there have been

criticisms in the past. This report is a welcome wake-up call. Ly

honourable friend will bring forward a green paper in how we can better

help victims and witnesses but there is so much that we need to do to

improve the system. Having `lso attended the APPG for autisl's visit

and have been inspired by what the governor and his team are doing can

I ask that prison's Minister if you cannot cut the bill to improve the

life chances of the 5% of the prison population you're estimated to

suffer with autism? He has shown a serious interest in this issue and I

was pleased he was able to go there yesterday. I am not sure whdther we

need to legislate. We need to spread the good practice across thd prison

system and I hope the reforl prison governors will be in the le`d in

doing that. On the 19th of @pril, the secretary said there is a

restraint to do the things he was elected to do. Providing it can only

be a good thing, what did hd have in mind? My view is any ministdr in

this house should be accountable to the people of this country further

decisions that they make and when we have a situation where the Duropean

Court of Justice can rule in a way in which there is no recourse or

appeal, then our democracy hs undermined by that. Our democracy is

pressure -- pressures and the European system is no friend of

that. Next week the Parliamdntary Assembly of the Council of Durope

will point a British judge to replace the judge on his retirement.

Is that now an appropriate loment for us to recognise and thank him

for the work he has taken ott? He makes a very important point. The

European Convention on Human Rights was offered in large part bx a

British lawyer, a former Lord Chancellor. The rights cont`ined in

that convention, whatever one thinks of the operations of the cotrt, the

rights contained very precious rights. Can I thank Judge M`honey

for his expanding work and know there are some lawyers who stand

ready to replace him and I `m sure the Council of Europe will give

careful thought to insuring we have the right candidate in placd to

emulate his work. Constituents including the families of D`vid

steel and Mr and Mrs Metcalfe were dismayed that there will be an

announcement on criminal drhving but that turned out not be the case

When he give an assurance that the review will happen quickly `nd we

will get changes to give better to victims of criminal driving? I know

the honourable gentleman takes a close interest. Everything we do on

sentencing is in need to drhve down reoffending. We will be looking at a

range of proposals with those twin objectives in mind. We are looking

at proposals around the potdntial for prisoners to earn their release

from custody and looking at driving offences and we welcome any ideas

along the way. The former Jtstice Secretary was warned legal `id cuts

to domestic violence victims were and I quote grossly unfair `nd

harsh. That is why the Court of Appeal shut them down. In rdsponse,

the Government decided to do a survey with the very limited time

frame for people to fill it in. Does the Government think that w`s a

reasonable way to take this situation seriously? Wouldn't it be

better to have a full and transparent consultation? I say very

gently she is completely misinformed and wrong. Following that court

judgment, what that Governmdnt had -- did was to increase the time

period from two years to five years and we have allowed financi`l abuse

to be taken into account. Wd are having those immediate changes to

the system and are engaging with the relevant stakeholders so we can

bring in a better system whhch will be satisfactory to all concdrned.

The Home Office has refused to disclose data on sexual violence

towards detainees at yours would immigration centre because the

information could damage thd commercial interests of the

companies that run the facility Can he give assurances that the Ministry

of Justice policy will not put profit before people in prisons like

this? The honourable lady is concerned about the fate of

detainees but the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office work

closely together to ensure that detainees are well looked after and

it is my understanding that the reporting in the press may have

inadvertently led to the honourable lady raising an issue which is not

strictly the case. I know I will be working with the Home Officd to

properly address the concerns. Urgent question, Mr Andy Burnham. To

ask the Home Secretary to m`ke a statement on the incidence of

violence in Marseille over the weekend involving England f`ns at

the Euro 2016 football tournament. As I told the House yesterd`y, the

trouble that occurred in Marseille involving England supporters was

deeply disturbing. I made it clear that coordinated groups of Russian

supporters were responsible for instigating a good deal of the worst

of islands. You wafer within the last hour has announced that Russia

is subject to a suspended disqualification from the

tournament. This Government's priority is to work with thd French

authorities to ensure the events of the weekend are not repeated. This

morning I updated Cabinet colleagues on the full range of measurds that

we are taking head of the m`tch between England and Wales on

Thursday. It had already