24/01/2017 House of Commons

Houses of Parliament at 11 o'clock tonight. First, questions to the

Justice Secretary, Liz Truss. The House will be aware of Jenny Swift

in Doncaster prison and mice somebody's with her family as all

deaths in custody, there would be an investigation by the prison and

probation 's ombudsman. We want to assure transgender offenders are

treated fairly, lawfully and decently with their rights and

safety are respected. I cautiously welcomed the new guidance regarding

the management of transgender prisoners and I'm sure we will all

be keen to see all transgender people treated with respect and

dignity. Can the minister assure the House that the new guidance also

applies to transgender people held in immigration detention centres as

well as those held in general prison systems? I thank the honourable lady

fair question. The new guidelines to staff she has mentioned following a

review into the management and care of transgender offenders, the review

involved oversight in closing the Prison Reform Trust. We had 70

people in this position in the estate which reflects broadly with

the population. Specifically with regards to the question you asked,

if you write to me, I will reply. The non-guidance is welcome indeed.

Can the Minister outlined what this applies to in terms of non-binary

people who are in prisons because it is not just about those defining

themselves as men or women, it is about non-binary people as well.

Again to put it in perspective, we have four people who are in that

position currently in the estate. The new guidelines state all

transgender prisoners should be expressed ink -- should be allowed

to express their gender in of prison location. Quickly confirm that is no

longer a requirement for gender recognition certificates and could

he tell us how confident he is that these guidelines are being applied

across the whole of the estate and will he expect to do an assessment

of the impact? People are cared for and managed in the agenda with which

they identify rather than this being based on their legally recognise

gender. The guidelines were brought about with the interaction of

various independent organisations. Staff are being trained in this area

will stop I think some perspective is required. We have a prison system

that is traditionally male and female and we are seeing relatively

small numbers. With regards to recent tragic events come I'm

looking at each case. The prison and Courts Bill will set

out the reform of offenders as well as the punishment of offenders is a

keep purpose of prison. We need to make sure the whole system is

focused on getting prisoners the education they need, getting them

off drugs and into jobs so we can reduce the ?15 billion cost of

reoffending. I commend my honourable friend for the work she is doing.

Could she set out the standards she is laying down so prison

improvements and offender outcomes can be properly measured? We need

standards so it can hold prison governors to account on what they

are achieving. We will be starting to introduce those standards from

April 20 17th. They will include measures like prison safety,

progress made in English and maths, progress on getting an offenders

into employment and measuring the time-out of cell in prisons. The

Secretary of State will know that good rehabilitation depends on two

things. A good probation service but secondly good partnerships with the

business community and employers that will give them appropriate

employment to steer them on their way. We have had some good

experience at Reading and other jails and will he back that -- will

she backed that partnership? We know when someone gets into work, they

are much less likely to reoffend. We will be launching an employment

strategy later this year encouraging more employers like Timpson 's, who

do a good job to participate and we want to get the third sector

involved in that rehabilitation programme. You're going to be

announcing reforms to the probation system and one of the key focus is

would be on how the probation service gets people into employment.

Has there been progress in getting accurate job data Bacon says in the

areas to which prisoners are going to be released in order to focus on

work preparation in prisons as effectively as possible? We are

working with the DWP to get that data and make sure it is much more

linked up but by giving governors more power, we will enable them to

work with their local employers, making sure there are jobs available

so we are training people up in prison, getting them into

apprenticeships so they can continue those apprenticeships and that work

when they leave prison. What steps is the Government taking to ensure

that mental health problems are picked up as part of the

rehabilitation process, not just to reduce suicide rates but also to

ensure that services are streamlined upon release? Mental health is a

major issue. What we are giving governors is more power over the

commissioning of mental health services in prison. What I also want

to see is better diagnosis of mental health issues early in the criminal

justice system, so when people appear in court and when they are

run community sentences as well. Will the Minister said a high

standard for employment projects in prisons along the lines of the

experience in Padua. There was an outstanding exporting bakery

business. I thank her for her comments and I think Mac catering

and bakery is a big area where we do a lot of training already. We are

working with organisations in getting people into employment and

we have the bad boys bakery at Brixton which produces some

excellent cakes. The Secretary of State seems well informed on these

important matters. Getting them into employment is important and the

Secretary of State referred to this. What assessments has heard

department remained of the amount of prisoners that leave prison getting

into employment and staying in it for more than six months? The

honourable gentleman is right to talk about the longevity of that

employment and we are designing those measures that prison governors

and probation services will be held to account on, on the basis of

getting people into sustainable employment. That is an important

measure. Where and offender is at risk of serious harm, they will

receive a standard recall. Thereafter, they will only be

rereleased before the end of their sentence at the risk they pose is

reduced and they can be safely managed in the community. In cases

that are not high risk, a fixed term recall is often more appropriate. It

is bad enough that prisoners are automatically released halfway

through their sentence whether they pose a risk or not but when someone

released on licence from prison Ben reoffend is, surely the least of the

public can expect is the criminals concerned are sent back to prison to

serve the remainder of their prison sentence in full. Instead of the

huge number that we called prison for a 28 days on a fixed term

recall. Sometimes on multiple occasions. How does the Minister

justify this fraud on the British public? Where there is a high risk

posed, the prisoner will not be rereleased before the end of beer --

their sentence. Those were charged in a high risk status. If they are

convicted of a further offence, they get a fresh sentence. Is the

Minister aware of a recent case in Northern Ireland where someone

charged with a serious terrorist offence in connection to the murder

of prison officer David Black Tom abscond when he was on bail and the

police to report that the courts for over weeks. If the Minister aware of

that and whether any discussions to take this matter forward? Betty is

not a question on the order paper. -- that is. I am not aware of that

case and I am willing to dig it up with the honourable member. Someone

in the justice system have raised fears that recall is used to

regularly by rehabilitation companies. This is because the

companies are descent advised from investing time where they will not

be able to complete their committee sentence. What assessment has the

Minister made of the use of recall by community rehabilitation

companies? The honourable member makes a good point in how the

process works. Companies have to justify the grounds to recall to

officials in the National offending management service before going

ahead. Where officials do not found grounds that recall, they will

challenge the community rehabilitation companies. It is

important to recognise that sometimes be calling an offender who

is in breach of their licence allows the offender manager to put in place

the appropriate mechanisms to manage them in the community. We are

recruiting an extra 2500 prison officers and rolling out new body

worn cameras. We are empowering governors in providing extra funding

to enhance the physical security of the prison estate.

If you I appreciate that prison violence has been a problem for

decades. I remember being a GPS several decades ago, and there was a

prison riot being dealt with them, but was it wise to cut the number of

prison officers by 25% given these problems? I would be delighted to

have a conversation with him about his experience looking at these

issues because he is absolutely right, they have been a problem for

a number of years. It will take time to build up the front line the crypt

recruiting doors 2500 additional officers. But we have faced new

challenges were psychoactive substances, drawings, mobile phones,

taking action to deal with those, but it is important we have staff on

the front line who can inform offenders and keep prisons safe. --

drones. Six major incidents and eight weeks

is unprecedented in the 25 years I have been in this House. Following

on from the honourable gentleman from Gainsborough, which he

confirmed the figures to September meant a loss, of 14 hundred is an

officers? And when you have to recruit 2500, don't you mean 4000 to

meet those 2000 500,000 -- 2500, and do you intend to do that? You're

right, we need to recruit 4000 over the next year. I announced initially

we were recruiting officers for ten of the most challenging prisons,

making job offers to those first 400. We have launched the graduate

scheme, and within 24 hours of announcing that scheme, we had

expressions of interest from over 1000 candidates, so there are people

interested in joining the prison service. It is a challenge to

recruit those numbers of officers but the other tournament to do it,

it is what we did to do to turn prisons around and make them places

of safety and reform. Would you accept that the greatest support we

can give two prison officers is to make sure they have the correct

levels of staffing in their prisons? Is she aware that there has been

significant problems highlighted by reports recently in Chelmsford

prison which has been attributed to the understaffing of the prison.

What is being done to get the levels of staff to correct levels? And

would you agree for your Minister for prisons to have a meeting with

me to discuss this? You are absolutely right, we do need to

recruit staff at Chelmsford, in addition to other prisons. I know

the prisons Minister will be meeting him soon. And I am keen to visit

Chelmsford myself, to come and meet the gentleman there and see the

situation on the front line. As well as issues with the

understaffing and morale we still have issues with some old prisons,

which are neither suitable for the caves of rehabilitation needed and

also cause security issues. Can the government update us on what has

been happening to deal with that problem? You are absolutely right.

It is harder to reform offenders and create safe environments we want in

old prisons that are not fit for purpose. That is why we are building

additional prison places, 1.3 billion allocated, we will open each

MP Bergman in Wales shortly with additional places. But we are

committed and I will announce more about the prison build programme in

due course. In 2011, and confirmed in 2016, there was adjusting the

Delia competition -- the daily accommodation fabric checks. How has

that have maintained order and reduced self harm? You raise a very

important issue. We do need cells that are fit for purpose. And also

that are usable. One of the things my honourable friend, the Prisons

Minister, has been focused on a regular meetings has been making

sure that contractors get cells back to you as unfit for purpose.

Some prisons, including in Birmingham, use prisoner violence

reduction representatives to discourage disorder. These are

prisoners who are paid to monitor other inmates. Stakeholders we have

spoken to suggest that some are ensuring compliance by themselves

meeting out violence to troublesome inmates. What assessment has she

made their use? The honourable lady refers to those valiant reduction

programmes, and I have seen them in place in a number of prisons, where

they can be very effective. Because often it is peer two peer support

that can help turn prisoners around. However, they need to be carefully

managed and monitored. My expectation is that it is the role

of the governor of the prison to make sure all those proper systems

are in place. In December, during her statement to the House on the

riot at one prison in Birmingham, the Justice Secretary suggested that

as many as 13 Tornado teams were deployed to the prison. Such events

deprive other prisons of office numbers. Officer numbers. Does she

have confidence that she had the resources to deal with the

disturbances of this kind? And when will the Sara Payne investigation

into what happened they concluded? Well, be an increasing the number of

Tornado staff to make sure that we do deal with any incidents that are

either cross prison estate, particularly while we are building

up the strength of our front line. Those officers do a fantastic job

and did a fantastic job in resolving the incident at each MP Birmingham.

I can tell her that the investigation being led by Sarah

Paynes on the incident at HMP Birmingham will report back in

February. Amanda Solway. Question number five. I would like to take

question five with nine and 12. The prison safety and reform White Paper

confirms commitment to tackling the supply and demand for drugs and

prisons. It also gives governors get a pilot over services in prison,

devolving control for education and increasing health care provision

including drug testing and rehabilitation. In my role, I have

visited many prisons and one of the most consistent and challenging

problems is not only treating drug addiction but actually preventing

those from entering the prison system. What other plans to prepare

it -- prevent MPS abuse and prisons? Prisons up a range of searching

tools available. We have trained 300 dogs to detect psychoactive

substances and introduce laws to prosecute those who smuggle and

supply drugs. Can you explain what impact legal highs are having inside

prisons and what steps the government is taking to crack down

on this very serious problem? The use of legal highs is undeniably

changing behaviour patterns amongst prisoners. Panorama last night was

quite illustrative of the impact of new psychoactive substances. We have

an innovative testing programme under the testing regime and

continue to work with health partners to reduce the demand.

In light of the increasing pressures on the prison population, do you see

any merit on the suggestions by the Harvard league for penal reform is

suggestions that there is the increased use of community orders,

which work in Southend, and their approach to helping offenders with

drug problems? Thank you for your question. We want to see effective

community orders, so that further crimes are not committed. This

includes better mental health, drugs and alcohol interventions. I am

aware that if we can get to grips with mental health challenges and

substance misuse challenges that crime will go down. Address the

issue of drug addiction, I think you have to address smuggling drugs into

prison. One method is introducing new scanning machines, similar to at

airports. Have you considered doing that in prisons and thereby stopping

drugs being smuggled by people into prison? Thank you for your question.

Yes, consideration has been given to that. There is difficulty of a new

psychoactive substances because the way they are being smuggled in,

sometimes for example being impregnated into paper, it is

difficult to find that via a scanner. But we are desperate to

deal with this because of the adverse impact it is having. The

honourable member has an identical question at number 19 which wasn't

gripped. But the position is clear, if he does stand, I will call him,

but he does, get in there, man! Will you agree that if we are to reduce

reoffending it is vital we get the prisoners of drugs and give them the

skills needed to find work as in the local community on release?

My honourable friend is the same profession I am an fully understands

the importance proper treatment of substance misuse. Part of that also

having successfully got off of the drug is finding purpose in life and

employment would be key to that. I would like to group questions six

with 17th, we are investing significant financial resources,

about 100 million, to recruit 2500 additional dozen officers, investing

in 4 million in marketing campaign and effort, and in addition to the

national recruitment campaign, there are local recruitment schemes

running in 30 of our hardest to recruit prisons. As I am grateful

for that reply. Can I urge him as he begins this recruitment process to

give due process to rural areas, such as North Dorset, we have high

post prices are high, and deployment levels are very low, making the

Governor's is job even harder at a local prison, making it harder to

recruit. I am aware the member takes a keen interest in his local prison.

I can give him the assurance that that prison has been made a priority

prison which means that the governor there is getting the extra resource

in addition to the national campaigns effort to recruit the

staff needed. Many of my constituents work in the prison

service and I was recently contacted by one constituent who has worked in

the prison service for over 23 errors. He was concerned about the

level of morale amongst fellow officers, citing recent riots. What

assurance can the Minister give me to ensure those serving on the front

line can work safely and with appropriate staffing numbers?

You are absolutely right. Prison officers are some of the finest and

bravest public servants. We want them to be able to work in safe

conditions and that is why we are tackling the use of drones, drugs

and phones and prisons, also recruiting more staff to work in a

safe environment. Given the enormous turnover of staff within the prison

estate and the reality the government will need to employ

around 4000 extra staff to meet the net figure of 2500, what can the

Minister jealousy is doing to incentivise the current prison staff

to stay and not what code? The reality is in 75% of prisons

recruitment is not a challenge but in some prisons, particularly London

and the South East, there is a challenge, and what we're doing

there to recruit new is offering market supplements of about ?4000

extra to attract new people and for those that are already in the system

are looking in discussions about professionalising the prison service

more to give them better citizen and more pride. Thank you. The chief

executive officer of the National offender management service, Michael

Souter, told MPs, as we have heard again today, of the need to recruit

8004 prison officers to achieve the increase in 2500, yet existing

prison officers have rejected the latest pay offer, and when Michael

met the POA this week, did the Secretary of State join him and did

she make the necessary commitments to make increased staffing in the

prison service a reality? The Secretary of State and I met the POA

last week, with a very constructive discussion, about talks and more

widely about reform, specialising the officers' jobs and raising their

status. Question number seven. We are determined to use the

opportunities presented by the exit from the EU to build a truly global

Britain. The world leading legal services contributing ?25 billion

per item to the UK economy. My department is leaving work with the

EU uncivil, commercial and family law and on the Office on justice. He

wants to group that question seven with Number 10. With your position,

number 11. Even ten, but we are very grateful. Scott Mann. Thank you, I

like to welcome confirmation by Prime Minister that we will cease of

membership of the single market, thus ending control of the European

courts of this country. Do you look forward to the day when the British

courts are no longer undermined by European judges sitting in

Luxembourg? My honourable friend is absolutely right. We have fantastic

judges here in the UK. Independent and incorruptible. We are going to

be leaving the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, add the

final decision will now be down to British judges. Like all things!, we

facing uncertainty and looking at citizens' rights. -- like all things

Brexit. What about pending cases before the Court of Justice and the

EU? And the time of departure from the EU?

Those types of issues will be resolved in due course and there

will be a statement later today from my honourable friend, the Brexit

secretary. What can my right honourable friend do to ensure the

legal profession that contracts where the choice of law is English

or Welsh law, will continue to be enforceable across Europe even when

we've left the EU? This is a vital issue for our fantastic legal

services profession. Four of the top ten international law firms are

headed in the UK and what I've said this week at a joint meeting with

the Lord Chief Justice and members of the legal profession is that

mutual enforcement of judgments will be a key part of them Brexit

negotiations. Civil and criminal justice are devolved to the Scottish

parliament. Does she agree with the conclusions of the first report of

exiting the EU select committee that the great reform bill must be dealt

with in a way that is consistent with the existing devolution

settlement and she accept that the legislative consent will be required

to the great reform bill. --? I am looking forward to meeting be

honourable lady to discuss the issues. The Prime Minister has been

clear she wants to strike a bespoke Brexit deal that works for the whole

of the UK. Because civil and criminal justice devolved, the

triggering of article 50 will have major implications for the rights

and freedoms of people in Scotland. Does she accept at the Seoul

Convention will be engaged and does she agree with the Supreme Court's

judgment this morning that the sole convention has a important role in

harmonious changes? The Prime Minister and the Secretary of State

that exiting the EU are working closely with the Government on the

issue of exiting the EU. The Government has been clear it will

respect the decision of the court made this morning. We are currently

conducting the competence of review of this system to make sure cutting

crime and preventing future victims. There are a wide number of factors

that impact on the services including the nature of supervision

and we have positive -- and rehab support. In October a report by the

presence and probation Inspectorate found high work loads meant there

was no time to think about cases in prison and that workload for

resettlement workers meant that they spent little time working with

individuals. Isn't this evidence that the Government's mistaken

privatisation of the probation services failing prisoners, failing

to prevent reoffending and therefore failing to protect the wider

community. The ambition we have set for our probation system review due

out at the beginning of April is very clear. That is we want a simple

probation system with very clear outcome measures such as getting

offenders into employment and into housing. Looking at outcomes is the

best way to judge our probation system rather than looking at the

imports. The Government's reforms will

modernise the courts and tribunal system, improve the experience of

everyone who comes in contact with it, particularly victims and

witnesses. We need to make sure the provision of legal support is also

updated to reflect the new way in which the justice system will work.

We will work closely with the legal sector, victims and witnesses and

others to review across the board the types of support needed in but

nice justice system and produce a Green paper in the spring of 2018.

Technology can mean courthouses that have closed can allow constituents

to get access to justice. Can the Minister confirm that at Skegness

courthouse, it is going to receive the kind of technology solution that

will allow my constituents to still get access to justice and that this

will not come at a cost to the local police? We're working to establish a

video link facility at the Skegness and this will allow victims and

witnesses to give evidence without travelling to Boston. Yesterday the

British Parliamentary Association showed how well the PSNI and Garda

are working together. With the Minister ensure that we are in

either the same place or a better place? He meant to refer to the

modernisation of the core system. It was purely an error.

I would be happy to discuss it with the honourable gentleman and pass

his remarks through to the Secretary of State for Air exiting the EU so

he is aware of the concerns. Three Magistrates' Courts have been closed

in Gloucester and the probation service divided. The Crown Court in

Gloucester and the Magistrates' Court in Cheltenham continue to leak

well disabled access is poor. Could you confirm today that action will

be taken both on the physical condition of the courts and also

annus mess and of the rehabilitation company's work. -- on the assessment

of the rehabilitation company's work? I am particularly keen to get

that skylight fixed for him and I am working hard on that. In the reply,

the minister Doctor modernising the tribunal system. Part of that

modernisation should be getting rid of employment Tribunal fees, the

introduction of those fees has led to a cut in the number of employment

tribunal cases by two thirds and a cut of over 80% in sex

discrimination cases. Can the Minister announced that they will be

abolished as part of access to justice and modernising the system?

We have been reviewing employment tribunal fees and I can say to him

that the publication of that review is imminent. Having said that, I

would say to him that their raise a difference of opinion across the

Chamber on this because we do think it right that individuals should

contribute to the costs of the tribunal 's and it is worth bearing

in mind that ACAS has increased its workload in employment cases from

23,000 cases a year to 92,000 now. The result has been a very large

increase in the number of cases that do not then proceed to the tribunal.

If the UK is to remain at the forefront of legal services

worldwide and for the sector to continue, it is vital our court

system is modern, flexible and fit the 21st-century. I agree with that

and we have the best legal system in the world but we need also to have

the most modern. And so to get as many things out of court that don't

need to be there, to apply the full force of judge and court room for

the difficult and complex issues, strip away unnecessary hearings,

duplication, it is important and I can report to the House that whereas

two hearings ago, there was a saving of a shard load of paper as a result

of these reports, it has now gone up to three shard loads. We have saved

people of that height which would be a pile of paper as high as the

largest building in the world. What a well-informed fellow he is. The

new chairman of the bar Council has warned about relying too heavily on

delivering justice online. Yesterday the President of the family courts

complained that facilities in his courts are a disgrace to stop prone

to the video link failing and desperate and poor video signals.

Does the Minister understand that some cases just on suitable for

video links and is he prepared to properly resourced those which are?

It is very important that the courts should have the facilities they need

it -- which is the reason for our modernisation programme. As far as

the concerns about open justice, it is very important to realise that it

will all work on the basis that there is access to see what's

happening in a virtual hearing. People will be able to see that and

it isn't going to be secret justice at all. It is important that we

reduce the 15 billion cost of reoffending and all the misery that

causes our -- that it causes in our society. They should go on to

employment when they leave prison and our new standards are there to

make sure governors are held to account for that. My private members

bill is aimed at reducing homelessness and it returns to the

House on Friday. One of the key provisions within that is the duty

on the prison service to help and assist people who are leaving prison

to find homes which are stable. What measures can my right honourable

friend take to ensure prison governors use the four two-hour

workshops that are to prepare prisoners for a life outside prison?

As well as getting into a job, having suitable houses is also

important to reducing reoffending. As well as measuring employment

rates, we are also measuring housing rates and prison governors will be

held to account on how well they are doing in terms of facilitating those

offenders to get into housing. Once a person has been to prison, they

pay their debt to society and contributing to society through work

is a key part of rehabilitation. Does my right honourable friend

agree that the declaration of a criminal record at the beginning of

a job application creates an unnecessary barrier to work? I

entirely agree that it is important that we help people get into work.

I'm supportive of the band the box initiative and we are exploring

options for promoting it. We will be publishing our employment strategy

and we want to encourage more employers like Halfords, Greggs and

DHL who work with ex-offenders to get involved because once they get

into jobs, they can prove loyal and effective employees once in work. We

are committed to reforming our domestic human rights framework and

will return to consider our proposals was we know the

arrangements for our exit from the EU. The Secretary of State said in

September last year that she was anticipating meeting the Scottish

Justice Minister to discover -- discuss their repeal of the Human

Rights Act in Scotland. How do she planned to guarantee the proposed

British Bill of Rights will not compromise the economy of the

Scottish legal system? The Secretary of State has offered some days and I

hope you will be possible for that meeting to take place with the

Justice Minister. Certainly there will be some time for that now

because we are going to return to our proposals was winnow the

arrangements for exit from the EU. While it is right that our

commitment to replace the Human Rights Act remains on the Government

agenda, does my right honourable friend agree with me that leaving

the European Union and freeing the United Kingdom from being bound by

the Charter of fundamental rights, must be the absolute top priority

for this Government? I do agree with that. It is important that we sort

out the EU side of matters and the exit from the EU before we return to

this subject. Scotland there is strong parties of the ECHR and the

Human Rights Act in both Parliament and across civil society. Can he

then agree that any attempt to repeal existing rights will be

likely to provoke a constitutional crisis? Certainly I don't accept

that the sort of changes that we are proposing to consider once the

situation is known about our exit from the EU, that they would be a

crisis making compilation. This country has always had a problem

respect human rights. It predates the Human Rights Act and I think we

can agree on that. Question 15.

There were 6688 serving custodial sentences, foreign nationals are

also being held on remand, or immigration detention centres. We

are increasing the number of foreign National offenders removed from

prisons, whether under the prisoner transfer agreement or through early

removal scheme. In 2015-16, 5810 for a national offenders were removed,

this is the highest summer since records began, and since 2010, 30

3000 have been removed. Poland has one of the biggest national groups

of foreign national offenders and prisons, their delegation from the

transfer of directive of the EU was due to expire in 2016. Are we in a

position to send these Polish prisoners back to prison in their

own country? All eligible Polish nationals have been identified and

deportation orders sought. We have referred cases to the Polish courts

and transfers will take place once Polish legal procedures have been

completed. Can the Minister say whether he thinks the number of

prisoner transfers will go up or down after we leave the EU? We have

already been in touch with the Department for exiting the EU on

prisoner transfer agreements. But as I said in my opening answer that is

one way of removing prisoners from this country. The early removal

scheme is another way as we have been successful at removing a lot of

prisoners to that scheme. Has the Ministry of Justice made an

assessment of how many British offenders are held in foreign

prisons? That is a number available but I don't have that to hand, I'm

willing to provide that. Put the details in the library, it will be

helpful to us all. Paul Blomfield. Number 22. Imminently.

Mr Speaker, the Prime Minister claims she wants to protect workers'

rights. Isn't the fear that publishing this report as it

demonstrates the introduction of fees has negated that process? The

Minister earlier said that publication is imminent. His

predecessor said last July it was soon. Can you define the terms and

give a date? He will not have long to wait, it is genuinely imminent.

LAUGHTER But can I say that that has taken

longer than we'd hoped. Topical questions. Number one.

Today the Supreme Court issued its judgment on Article 50. The 11

justices of the Supreme Court heard evidence over four days in December

before handing down their judgment today. Our independent judiciary is

the cornerstone of the rule of law and vital to the constitution and

freedoms. The reputation of it is unrivalled world over. Supreme Court

justices are people of integrity and impartiality. Whilst we may not

agree with judgments it is a fundamental part of any thriving

democracy that legal process is followed. The government is clear

that it will respect the decision of the court. Thank you. The Secretary

of State has been gallivanting but City of London law firm of late,

most recently thirsty on Fleet Street, one thing to put English law

at the forefront of attempts to create a global Britain. Does she

think this law is superior to Scots law? What is she to promote the

international interests of law firms from across the UK and law firms not

in the City of London? Will they get the same consideration? Thank you

for your question. I want to promote both English and Scots Law

internationally, I think they are both huge assets to our country. And

very important parts of commerce and business and the trust people have

in our system. When I meet the Scottish Justice Minister, I will be

delighted to meet some law firms up in Scotland. I welcome the

government commitment to creating the status of Guardian for property

and affairs of a missing person this is much wanted and needed by

families. Can you tell us when this legislation will be brought before

the House? We do well, my honourable friend for Thirsk Malton's bill on

the subject. We are wanting to help families of a person left behind. We

want to introduce legislation but we also now look forward to responding

to my honourable friend's bill at its second reading.

There are two micro things dented as four double Chris Eakin are

attempting to ignore the referendum -- two dangerous things, ignoring

the referendum and when the judiciary comes under attack. Whilst

I welcome the progress the Secretary of State has today, under pressure,

made in speaking up for the independence of our judiciary, it

hasn't deterred those attacks from continuing. Though she now, once and

for all, condemned the attacks on our judiciary? I'm delighted to hear

that the Labour Party wants to support the will of the British

people. That is a welcome development. As I've said, I'm

intensely proud of our independent judiciary, they are equal part of

our democracy. But I'm also proud to live in a country that has a press.

-- free press. Can a decision when giving fair access to children, give

fair access to both parents, because there are occasions where fathers do

not get fair access which they deserve question is my friend and I

have discussed this informally. The welfare of the child is always

paramount in court decisions. But you will remember that parental

involvement provisions were inserted into the children act in 2014,

requiring the court now presumes that a parent's involvement in the

child's life will further that child's welfare, unless the contrary

can be shown. All members will have been appalled by the recent inquest

findings into the tragic death of Dean Saunders at Chelmsford prison.

This is a man in a mental health crisis who should never have been

sent to prison, failed by everyone who should have been there to

protect him. According to the charity inquest he is one of a

prisoners to take their life last year. When will the Secretary of

State provided Phil Anne Frank responds to why he died? -- to

provide a full and frank response. This is a dreadful case, I am

seeking the details of all these cases to see if there is a pattern

and hope to come forward later in the year with any suggestions with

the regards to policy change in regards to prisons. Figures released

last month show that women are twice as likely to be prosecuted and seven

times more likely to face the maximum ?1000 fine than men for

nonpayment of the TV licence. Additionally, figures show that in

2015 and number of women jailed for offences relating to this matter

doubled. Can you explain to the House by women seem so

disproportionately falling foul of the TV tax? Thank you for your

question, and of course sentencing in individual cases is a matter for

the courts. By the government are concerned that women and indeed men

are not sent to custody if they do not need to be there. Sentencing for

nonpayment of TV licence has new guidelines announced today, with

possible factors to do the seriousness of TV licence evasion,

including whether the culprit was experiencing significant financial

hardship. The proposed closure of Camberwell Magistrates' Court would

require my constituents, whether victims, witnesses defendants, to

make long bus journeys to Croydon and Wimbledon to attend court. What

assessment had you made on the implications of this proposed

closure for access to justice for my constituents? Thank you for your

response to the consultation, which has now closed, and we will announce

the decision into course. But as made clear in the consultation there

is excess capacity at London Magistrates' Court, Camberwell Green

has significant outstanding maintenance of over ?1 million, so

the consultation is about ensuring modern and efficient courts and

improved arrangements for everyone. Assisting victims of crime is

clearly at the centre of the government attempts to modernise the

court system. What steps can you take to ensure that victims of

sexual crime is assisted in their rights and preserved in the court

system question that is an important point. We are seeing a record number

of people prosecuted now for sexual crime, but I want to make it clear

that victims and witnesses should be able to come forward, we are having

more pre-trial cross-examination, so that people don't have the

difficulty of appearing in court. I have spoken to victims organisations

to see what more we can do to protect vulnerable victims. Does the

Secretary of State recognised in relation to the Human Rights Act

that the Good Friday Agreement requires that the European

Convention on Human Rights to be directly enforceable in Northern

Ireland? As you know, it is important that all matters to do

with the devolved arrangements are fully considered in this context.

But in the light of the announcement I've made today, there will be more

time for that. Could the Minister outline what support has been

provided to Lewes prison since it went into special measures at the

end of last year and update on the progress made tackling some of those

key issues that put it on special measures in the first place? The

champion Lewis went into special measures on the 12th of December,

and a package of support has been developed, for the newly appointed

governor who took his post on the 9th of January. I would be happy to

meet the member to discuss this support in detail. The consultation

on driving offences and penalties relating to causing death or serious

injury closes on February the 1st. When does the Minister expect the

report on the outcome of consultation to be available? Is I

understand we have received thousands of responses to that

consultation and we will analyse results and once we are in a

position we can bring forward for the proposals. What is the

department doing to recruit high-quality graduates to the prison

service? Thank you for your question, we have launched the

programme which is like teacher first for prisons, encouraging the

brightest and best graduates, we have had a huge response, more than

1000 expressions of interest within 24 hours, and I look forward to them

joining our fantastic prison service. It is two years this month

since the government signed the prisoner transfer agreement with

Nigeria, could the Minister tell me how many prisoners have been removed

to a Nigeria since that agreement? Again I am happy to provide that

information and put it in the library of the House. Following the

announcement last week by the Prime Minister that Britain intends to

leave the European Court of Justice, which you outline what preparations

for department is making to have the UK court system to take out balls

and accountabilities previously taken out by the European Court?

Once believed the European Union, British judges will once again be

the final decision makers in our courts. I am sure that are

world-renowned traditionally will rise to the challenge and I am

working closely with them on arrangements. The government has

signalled its intention to remain a member of Europol after we leave the

European Union. Is there also a similar resolve to continue the

Bishop of Eurojust? Thank you for your question, I am working with

arrangements for criminal justice after leaving the European Union, as

well as the Secretary of State for exiting the EU. The Justice

Secretary has already said that four out of the ten biggest legal firms

are based in the United Kingdom. What steps are you taking, given the

similarity between English law and law in New York State and Australia

and New Zealand, to promote petition firms opportunities after we leave

the European Union? Last week, I hosted a meeting with the Lord Chief

Justice in leading legal firms, talking about mutual recognition and

enforcement of contracts, and later on in the spring we will hold a

global Britain legal services Summit to promote the fantastic

capabilities we have in the law. When leaving prison, we need to

ensure that those addicted to drugs or alcohol have the best start away

from the dependency, so that their loved ones can be protected from

that harm. Does the Minister agree with me that former prisoners who

are addicted to substances who may then come back to course of the

control their families to get to that substance can be managed

better? I think it is important they receive

treatment in the community and it is something I am looking at very

closely. A crab Laura Berry? Ministers will be aware of an

incident that took place where a defendant while in the dock was able

to use a sharp object to take part in a serious act of violence against

themselves. Will the Secretary of State look into what went wrong with

the security arrangements at the court? No one should be in a

position to do harm to themselves or others in a court in England or

Wales. He makes an important point about an extremely concerning

incident. I have been briefed already but I have asked for a

further report from Her Majesty's Courts service on what happened and

what measures are necessary to ensure it doesn't happen again.

Meeting Lancashire Police Federation last Friday, they said to me they

believed the sentencing guidelines dealing with an assault on a police

officer are adequate. In some cases, they are not properly fought by the

court. What will the Secretary of State do to make sure an attack on a

police officer is always an aggravating factor because an attack

the law enforcers is an attack on society itself? I thank my

honourable friend for his comment and he is right about attacks on

police officers. Also on prison officers. What we are doing is

strengthening the law in those areas and I have regular discussions with

the sentencing council. The use of psychoactive substances such as

spies, commerce secretary of state tells me what links they can

highlight in the rise of psychoactive substances and the

levels of violence in prisons? He is right that psychoactive substances

have an effect on our prisons. We have now rolled out testing to deal

with those substances and we have extra sniffer dogs to deal with them

and we are making progress. Recognising the consequences of

crimes on victims must be at the forefront of offender's minds as

they leave prison. What steps are ministers taking and the probation

service taking to ensure this is the case? The honourable gentleman is

right. Victims have to be at the centre of the justice system. That

is what our court reforms will help deliver and also restorative Justice

programmes led by our Police and Crime Commissioner 's can help

restore justice to victims. Statement, the Secretary of State

that the European Union. David Davis. I will make a statement on

the Government's responds to today's judgment by the Supreme Court. This

Government is determined to deliver on a decision taken by the people of

the UK in the referendum to lead the European Union. We will move swiftly

to do just that. I can announce today that we will surely need to do

is legislation allowing the Government to move ahead with

invoking article 50 which starts the formal process of withdrawing from

the European Union. We received the lengthy 96 page judgment a few hours

ago and Government lawyers are assessing it carefully. This would

be a straightforward bill. It is not about whether or not the