Live Justice Questions House of Commons

the Justice Secretary, lids Truss, but first the Speaker will deal

briefly with private legislation. THE SPEAKER: Order. Order. The clerk

will proceed to read the title of the private Bills set down for

consideration. New Southgate Cemetery Bill. Tuesday, 2nd May.

THE SPEAKER: Tuesday, 2nd May. THE SPEAKER: The question is that

the Bill be read the third time. As many of that opinion say aye. To the

contrary, no. I think the ayes have it, the ayes have it. City of London

Corporation open spaces Bill amended to be considered. Wednesday, 22nd

April. THE SPEAKER: The question is that

the Beurl be now considered as many of that opinion say aye. To the

contrary, no. I think the ayes have it, the ayes have it. Thank you.

Order. Today, the 25th April 2017, marks colleagues the 200th

anniversary of the first printing of the daily votes and proceedings.

And of an order paper setting out the business of the House, this

followed an initiative by my predecessor in the chair, Speaker

Abbott. Members have relied ever since on

these papers. It is a good moment for us to Thack all those

responsible in the House Service for their preparation and distribution

ever since and for their unfailing appearance, rain or shine, printed

or digital. Order. Questions to the Lord Chancellor and the Secretary of

State for Justice. Question number one, Mr Speaker. Mr

Speaker, with your permission I'd like to group this question with

question number tenment we announced our intention to make changes by

secondary legislation that would make it easier for victims of

domestic violence to access Legal Aid. These include removing the time

limit on all forms of evidence and accepting evidence from domestic

violence support organisations. Can I thank my Right Honourable friend

for that answer the I appreciate the minister may not be able to go into

detail just yet, but can he offer a commitment to the Venus Williams of

domestic violence that for his continued support for them in the

justice system during the next Parliament, if a Conservative

Government is returned? Well, I can certainly say that and I can also

point o the recent changes that have been made in courts to help those

who are victims of domestic violence to give evidence, the video links

that we've introduced and also, the provision for recorded evidence and

cross-examination which is about to be rolled out and I think it is also

important to say that I think the House generally supported the end to

cross-examination by perpetrators. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the

Minister for His answer and welcome his announcement. Will he join me in

commending the Southern scam domestic Abuse Service that helps

victims of domestic violence report to the police and ensure he

continues working with such charities to make sure the he have

depks guidelines are followed. I'm happy to pay tribute to the work of

organisations who help those who are victims of domestic violence. I know

from talking to my honourable friend in Havant the particular service is

an excellent one. Yes, so I agree with him. The domestic violence

evidence requirement for Legal Aid. There was a clear admission that the

scheme was not working and not fair. Since the Legal Aid sentencing and

punishment of offenders Act the family courts have become more

adversarial. The withdrawn of Legal Aid brings unfairness to those

families. We promised at the tile that there would be a review of the

Legal Aid provisions and we have announced the timetable for that

review and that has been welcomed. But I agree with her, that we should

have a process of constant improvement in trying to help the

Venus Williams of domestic violence. The Government made huge progress

tackling domestic violence at home and overseas, however, my surgeries

are filled with peel suffering and have suffered from domestic violence

stuck in the Family Court Stel. They are receiving Legal Aid, but this

caused distress. I know the minister looks into these matters and issues,

but will he meet with me after 8th June to discuss some of these cases

further. Well, I would never take the electorate for granted, but if

I'm here, I'll do it. Number two, Mr Speaker. This is a matter for the

Home Office. The substance Act 2016 requires that legislation is

reviewed within 30 months so the review to this will happen late

2018. Wrexham, like many other towns up

and down the country, is being blighted by the impact of so-called

spice. I've received a letter this month from the Home Office which

directly contradicted a letter from the minister on the question of

whether possession of spice was an offence. This confusion is causing

real problems in enforcement by police officers who have already had

their numbers cut by this Government. Will the minister take

this more seriously and act urgently to confront this really serious

problem? I agree with the hob rable gentleman

that it is a serious problem. It is also a problem that as I've said

before, in our prisons. Possession of spice in a custodial setting an

offence and is subject to imprisonment. I will look in more

detail. If he can forward to me the letter from the Home Office and I

will get back to him. Mr Speaker, could I say how much I welcome the

2016 Act having lost two young men to what used to be called legal

highs and that the extra powers it provides and the rigorous

application of the law to rapidly changing chemicals is extremely

welcome. I thank the honourable member for that particular question.

I would like to emphasise that the possession of spice has been subject

to further controls and that includes making them legal. That you

have, Mr Speaker. As the minister will be aware, the use of spice and

its impact on your communities is now raving epidemic levels. It is

particularly hitting city centres, like Manchester and other towns and

cities across the country. What discussions is the minister having

with colleagues in other departments to get a proer handle and a

crackdown on this issue because it is putting intolerable pressure on

our public services? The honourable member makes an

important point the it is a blight on some communities, but also in our

prisons it fuels the disorder and violence that we have seen in our

prisons. We take it extremely seriously and I am working with my

colleagues in the Home Office to deal with this. Banning novel psycho

active substances is one thick, but physically keeping them out of our

prisons is quite another. Could the minister tell the House what active

measures he's taking to prevent these substances getting inside our

jails? The honourable gentleman is right.

We are determined to keep these drugs out of our jails. That is why

we have trained 300 dogs that detect these substances, but we have

introduced a new drug test. The UK is the first jurisdiction in the

world to do so. The testing has been ruled out. We can't comment on the

impact yet because it started just last year, but we know from evidence

that drugs testing does have a deterrent affect on use and

possession the With four suspected deaths in one

weekend at the start of this month in Belfast and the coroner reported

that drug related deaths have doubled in the last two years, this

is an important issue that affects cities across the United Kingdom.

Can the minister confirm that his review will draw on implementation

from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, to get a picture how this

legislation has been operating? The review will be carried out by the

Home Office, buttual' sure the honourable member's question has

been noted and it will be reflected in the review. Number three, Mr

Speaker. Mr Speaker, extremism in prisons is something we take very

seriously. The department has set-up a new directorate to oversea all

aspects of our work onks tremism and terrorism and created a new joint

unit between the prison and the Probation Service and the Home

Office with enhanced resources to deliver our extremism strategy. I

thank the Minister for That reply. Extremism in prisons means that

vulnerable people such as those with mental health problems or on the

autistic spectrum could be in this closed environment could be at risk.

Could the minister tell me what work the Government is doing to protect

people from extremism within the prison system and what adjustments

are being made to help these particularly vulnerable people? What

the Right Honourable lady as the chair of the all-party group for

autism understands the particular vulnerabilities of these people

within the prison system. The prison staff take extra care in monitoring

and also understanding the threats to vulnerable people like people

with autism and robustly intervene when there are any threats including

extremism and radicalisation. There has been an issue with some

religious converts being drawn into the extremist ideology and then

going on to carry terrorist acts, not knowing the true values and

teachings of religions. What specific steps are being taken to

address this? And what extra support is being given to religious faith

representatives to ensure that we tackle this issue? The Chair of the

APPG on community engagement makes a vital point. We must be absolutely

clear that the conversion to a religion or Islam doesn't

necessarily mean radicalisation, but where in the prison estate this

happens, there are education courses that people are encouraged to go on,

but also support for religious leaders to make sure they do not get

drawn to the poisonous ideology that sometimes seeks, often seeks to prey

on vulnerable individuals. We reviewed this matter for the

government, told the Justice committee only last year and I

quote, "I do not have the confidence of the National offender management

service, or indeed if I may be frank, has the capability or the

will to me than some of the recommendations I have made." Does

the Minister feel that his changes are not just recommendations that

are being implemented, but recommendations that there is the

capacity to deliver on? Absolutely. As I said right at the start, we

have a new directorate to deal with this within Her Majesty 's prison

and probation service. We also have a new team that is across the Home

Office and the prison service dealing with this, with new funding

to tackle this extremism strategy. The member of the select committee

will also be aware that just last week, we announced the centres which

were recommended in the review, which would remove the most

poisonous individuals away from the main population of our prisons.

There are about 1000 individuals have been identified as being

extremist or vulnerable to extremism. The creation of the

separation unit is welcome. However, the key is monitoring the people

when they come out of prisons. Can he reassure us that this will

happen? To be precise, there is about 700 people that are of

concern. That 700, about 180 that are in prison or remand for

terrorism related offences. The Right Honourable member is

absolutely right about what happens when people come into the community.

The multi-agency protection arrangements with law enforcement

mean that they are subject to strict licence conditions and if they

breach those licence conditions, they can and do and up in jail. The

police are obviously part of this, and Mr Speaker, I would like take

this opportunity to say thank you to the police, especially those who

protect as here as we go about our daily jobs. Can the Minister state

whether the government is planning on providing any specific training

for prison officers to help identify those inmates with extremist

tendencies? Prison officers play a vital role in combating extremism in

our prisons, given their contact and proximity they have with prisoners.

Last December, we rolled out a new extensive training programme for all

our prison officers to enable them to identify this threat and help

deal with it. Northern Ireland Minister has had to deal with

extremism and prisons over last number of years. Segregation of

loyalist and republican as examples. As the Minister had any opportunity

to discuss this with the relevant Minister Northern Ireland to learn

from what we have learned, to help you do your job here in the UK? We

have looked very carefully at the lessons from Northern Ireland in

setting up the separation centres which we announced last week. There

are significant differences between what is happening in England versus

Northern Ireland. No prison it will default to the separation centres.

Ending up there will be as a result of their behaviour behind bars. It

will be selected by a panel, obviously told why they have been

selected. We will decide, or the panel will decide, where in the

prison system they go to. So there are appropriate safeguards in place.

These units would only affect small sections of the prison population.

However, the lack of safety in our prisons is itself a potential

breeding ground for extremism. Has a Secretary of State considered to

what extent that environment of violence has contributed to

extremism? The Honourable member is right. The separation centres would

hold 28 prisoners based on our evidence. That is sufficient. We

have a broader strategy to deal with extremism in our prisons, that

includes support to religious leaders, looking at religious texts,

and a range of education programmes to deal with the challenge of expert

rumours in our prisons. -- of extremism. Prisoners delegated to

separation unit will be able to appeal against the decision. It will

be reviewed every three months. Given the recent decision not to

deny aid to many prisoners is unlawful, will these individuals

have access to publicly funded legal advice? We are considering the

results of the Court of Appeal case and the government will make its

position known as far as that is concerned. Of course as part of due

process and prisons, if an individual is selected to go into

these centres, it is right that the panel tells why there have been

selected to go into that separation centre and allows them make

representations. The Secretary of State for Justice, Liz Truss. The

government is clear that we want a smooth and orderly exit from the EU.

Legal certainty is fundamental to this, as is laid out in the Great

Repeal Bill White Paper. We'll bring an end to the jurisdiction of the

European Court of Justice, so that our courts will be the ultimate

arbiters of our laws. Recognition of enforcement of judgments across the

EU has benefited millions of citizens. The Law Society of

Scotland, if we leave the EU without mechanisms, the likely outcome is

that the weakest empress members of society will suffer. I completely

agree that meter enforceability of judgments, civil judicial

cooperation is important, that is why we have made it a priority and

Brexit negotiations. -- that mutual enforceability. The Justice

committee's report on the implications of leaving the European

Union for the justice system, published last month. In particular,

the stress we laid based upon overwhelming evidence of the

importance firstly of continuing cooperation in criminal justice

matters, including information sharing, recognition of judgments

and proper transitional arrangements so that commercial and civil justice

sectors have certainty going forward. He is absolutely right, and

I would add family to that list, family law cooperation is extremely

important. We are working closely with the legal profession. There is

a working group looking at working with the industry across Europe. It

is a key priority as part of Brexit negotiations. Does the Secretary of

State share my concern that leaving the EU will weaken our power in

terms of extradition? She will know that I have had a case of someone

who fled to Pakistan after killing 11 members of her family. We've been

working across Europe to try and bring this man back. He is now in

prison in Pakistan. Will getting out of the European Union hamper

extradition in the future? We are working very closely with the Home

Office on criminal Justice cooperation. We want to secure a

good deal. But I think it's important that we all get behind

what the British people voted for, and get a secured deal with the

European Union. Brexit wheel in a new, deregulated environment provide

a great opportunity for legal services -- exit will. What plans as

the government how to support legal services abroad after the exit? He

is absolutely right. Four out of ten of the top global legal firms are

based in the UK. We have huge opportunities to promote English

law, Scots law and wing working on a global Britain legal Summit to bring

together leading figures in the industry to promote what we do

overseas -- and we are working. My Bulgarian constituent murdered his

wife by stabbing her to death 25 times in broad daylight. The Home

Office has finally agreed to have him deported, but what assurances

can Secretary of State give me that he will serve his full sentence

Bulgaria, both pre-Brexit and praised Brexit? It's important that

that individual is brought to justice -- and post Brexit. That is

part of how we arrange prisoner transfer agreement. That will be

part of Brexit discussions. Does right honourable friend agree that

we cannot remain part of the European single market, because that

would inevitably mean that the European Court of Justice would

retain jurisdiction over us, and that is exactly not what the British

people voted for? My honourable friend is absolutely right. We are

leaving the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. The

ultimate arbiters of our laws will be our own courts here in the UK.

And that is incompatible with being in the single market. Number five,

Mr Speaker. With your permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to group this

with questions 12 and 13. Can I start by paying tribute to the

Honourable member for Chelmsford, who is 30 years in the house have

been a joy to behold, although I've only been here for seven of them.

And we recently visited Chelmsford prison together. And I saw

first-hand his commitment to his constituents, but also to the cause

of improving prisons in this country. And I can say that

Chelmsford prison is one of the ten prisons that we selected to have the

early recruitment of prison officers. We said there would be 400

prison officers recruited by the end of March. I can confirm that those

prison officers are in training, or in post in those prisons, including

in Chelmsford. May thank my right honourable friend for those

extremely kind and generous comment at the beginning of her answer. And

can I say to her, following the recognition that more staff is

needed at Chelmsford prison, I welcome the fact that staff have

been trained up. Does she know yet when the staff are likely to come on

stream, so as to ensure that we have the proper staffing levels and the

proper protection for prison officers? Well, I can tell the

honourable gentleman that the period of training for a prison officer is

ten weeks. So we'll be looking at that very shortly. There have been

43 job offers made for new prison officers at Chelmsford. That is

since November. Following the visit that he and I did to Chelmsford

prison, one of the things we were able to announce is a raise in

salaries, a raise in starting salaries for prison officers at

Chelmsford. They will now be paid a minimum of ?26,500. Prison officers

have to be both tough and humane. It is a difficult path and a difficult

job to do. Can the Secretary of State tell us what plans he has to

increase the professionalism of the people who do this job, which in

turn may help with their attention -- what plans she has? Can I first

say what a fantastic group of professionals we have in the prison

officers in our country. What I want to make sure is that we have good

career progression right through from entering the prison service to

becoming a governor, that we have training, we're launching a new

apprenticeship scheme for officers to make sure that people have the

right skills all the way through. Number 13, Mr Speaker. This has been

grouped with this question. We want to enjoy his eloquence now? Thank

you, Mr Speaker. Can I ask my right honourable friend about the unlock

scheme, whether it is rolling out on whether the graduates will start? My

honourable friend mentions the Unlock scheme, which is like a Teach

First for the prison service. There we have had a great number of

applications. The first assessment was held on the 1st of April. We're

able to offer 60 candidates places, there will start training on the

18th of July. This is important for bringing top graduate into our

prisons. But also exposing employers to the fantastic work that goes on

in our prisons. Although welcome the recruitment of prison officers, but

doesn't she agree that the problems in our prisons stem from the

mistaken actions of her government in cutting 6000 officers in the

first place? I've been very clear that we do need to recruit more

prison officers. It's been my number one priority in this job. We're on

track to achieve the 2500 officers. We faced a number of challenges

across our present state, we've already talked about psychoactive

substances, drones and mobile phones. But I am clear that we need

the prison office in place, and what we will be able to do when we have

achieved the 2500, is that every officer will have six prisoners'

caseload to look after, and that will help us turn those lives

around. I've been pressing for a number of

years for a new prison and my constituency. Hopefully that will

take place in the next couple of years. Will the Minister undertake

to ensure that any future Government will make that took place so that it

is not forget her best practice to ensure the best possible outcomes? I

absolutely agree. We need to learn from each other to make sure our

prisons to the best possible jobs. Of course, they are there to punish

offenders but they must also a nice run. -- must also turn their lives

around. I wonder what the make of the high levels of turnover on

prison staff and the effect of this on the culture. Low pay rates, low

prospects add nothing to encourage people to come in. In prisons in

England and Wales, in fact 80% of our staff have been with us for more

than five years. What I want to make sure is that we retain and train up

these experienced staff, which is why we are creating 2000 new posts

at grade four mag. They will earn ?50,000. This will help us to retain

it our staff. Can you clarify whether any plans are there to

increase numbers of staff to provide education and training to prisoners

to help them get employment when they come out and stop reoffending?

We are making sure that governors decide how education is going to

work in their prisons. We set standards, how fast prisoners

progress in English and maths, either getting the vocational and

work skills they need? I was recently in a prison that was

working with Halfords, getting pupils into employment. Number six,

Mr Speaker. With their permission, Mr Speaker, I'd like to group this

question with questions eight and 16. I believe the question refers to

petition number one. Our behalf of Campbell...

I recognise the hard work and dedication of the Honourable members

involved in the questioning. Historical matters are not a matter

for the Ministry of Justice, so it would be inappropriate for me to

comment. Thank you, Mr Speaker. In 1984, workers at the shipyard to

official strike action over job losses, just as the Thatcher

Government were trying to privatise British shipbuilders. They were

dismissed, jailed in a category a prison and they lost their

redundancy and pension rights. The minister has tried to give as a

technical and a bottle of the undertake to release all of the

documents relating to the decision to prosecute and the severity of the

sentence. So that this clear miscarriage of justice can finally

be put right. I thank the Honourable Lady for a question and I consider

that it is the case. -- I am sympathetic to this case and the

individual. The commission has the power to review and investigate

miscarriages of justice. Whether there is the possibility that the

division or sentence will not be upheld, the professional might be

treated as a new appeal. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Ten Cammell Laird

workers and one apprentice have died since those events. Without answers

as to who and why those decisions were taken to imprison them. Surely

it is now time to call family members and the trade union. To do

the right thing and have a proper enquiry and publish the information

that the Government has access to. What is there to hide? This is

clearly a difficult case for the people concerned. But as I said,

where a conviction is subsequently quashed, compensation can be sought

by a navigation to the miscarriages of justice application servers. I'm

not in a position to comment on whether a future Government shooting

gauge in enquiry or not, but I can insure you that as I am returned to

this role after the election I will look at this case further. -- a

future Government should engage in any choir or not. Mr Speaker, this

is the last time I will speak in this house. I was kid miserably

should be an aborted question. This was something I championed as shadow

Europe minister and I was delighted when the European Union joint. This

is about papers that the Government holds. I'm offering that the

Minister will respect that this is my last time and we give me the

proper answer. Will the Minister committed to giving the paper is

that the Government hold and was an end to one of the most shameful

episodes in British industrial relations? I thank you for your

question. She has presented apical of the country, which I have some

family roots in. -- a beautiful part of the country. This case is clearly

an emotive one, judging by the response is opposite. If I am

returned to this position after the election, I will look at this

situation once again. I will not make any commitments to decide an

election on it. -- this side of the election on it. I recognise the

importance of the case and the emotive nature of it. GMB union

research questions for its interference in the Cammell Laird

dispute. The pitcher remains incomplete because of withheld

documents. That favour of Government is being defined by state fondling.

Hillsborough, grave, Cammell Laird. Is this interview this is -- if this

interference extends to the prosecution of these people, don't

they have the right to know? I do not share such a jaundiced view of

the Conservative Government of the 1980s. As I have said, this case I

have a look at again once we are outside of broader.

I hope that the Conservative Government is returned and expected

to be the case. I promise to look at this case again in detail them. As

this is the last week of questions, and especially keen to get through

the order paper. Can I appeal to colleagues to help each other to

achieve this objective? my apologies, Mr Speaker. Prisons

should be places of punishment. They also need to be places of reform. An

unhappy pool -- about half the people to leave prison reoffend

within the. Improving family ties and getting them into work are

critical to reducing reoffending. This is why we are giving governors

power over these issues. Hopefully on Thursday my private members bill

will become the homelessness reduction act. Under that act, was

in governors have a duty to provide prisoners with help for life so they

don't reoffend. What can -- was communication to train his governors

has been given in preparation? Can I commend the Honourable friend and

his drastic bill that he is putting through the House of Commons. -- is

that has to go. We have visited governors talking to them about the

powers they have over areas like preparing prisoners for police,

education and employment. Housing is one of the issues we cover. Mr

Speaker, a new governor was appointed in January 2017 and is

developing an action plan in response to the issues in this

prison. Could she set out how the Government's prison reform will help

HMP Lewes, particularly prisoners that are trying to stop reoffending

and the people that do a difficult job? A key part of the programme is

adding 2500 staff to our prison service. As far as my pussy is

concerned, 24 prisoners will reoffend less if they

get sustainable work. Whilst many private-sector employers are rising

to the challenge of providing offenders with extra work, good day

-- could we do what is happening in the public sector? Employment in

prisons but also preparing prisoners for employment under these is vital

to stopping reoffending. The new futures network, which my right

honourable friend the Secretary of State has launched, will work with a

range of organisations, including public sector organisations, to help

create employment opportunities for prisoners. Question number 15. The

answer is yes. Amnesty International, liberty and other

human rights groups have raised the issue of diminished human rights

provision as a result of the Great Repeal Bill and the Government

attempt to change the statute books. Can the Minister provide more detail

on the extent of this correction powers and whether this will include

human rights protection? I can't make any announcements today. As I

explained in giving evidence to two select committees, it is not our

intention to have any gaps in our forum human rights protection in

this country. Why is it reasonable to expect our own justices to be any

less creative than European ones? Well, we do want a British

jurisprudence and that's what we will have fallen Brexit. -- have

fallen Brexit. Human rights were not invented with the Human Rights Act.

This country has been a leading pioneer in human rights since its

first gasps of breath as a nation. I don't think there is any reason for

us to think that we would continue to express our values. Why is this

Government continuing to confuse and deceive people got the Convention of

human rights is anything to do with the EU? Somehow signed up to -- it

was signed up to buy nations just after the worst war in history. We

try to uphold our vision of Winston Churchill, he spoke up for the need

for rights across Europe. He didn't mean me or you. Mr Speaker,

questionable 17. -- question 17. Yes, we are in favour. The European

Convention on human rights guarantees the right to free and

fair elections. The of the legislatures in this country are

unelected members of the House of Lords. -- the vast majority of the

legislators. Have you ever considered whether this is

compatible with the EC are? I have looked at the reform of the House of

Lords in the last moment and I believe we took legal advice on

every possible issue and if you'd like to review proceedings you will

enjoy. Even though the Honourable Lady is a very distinguished lawyer

I shall still appeal to her for a reasonable brevity. Earlier this

month, I met with UN officials in New York to discuss human rights

issues. They were appalled to hear that we were going to be campaigning

to restore the UK from the European Commission of human rights. Can I

take what the man just said that this is not going to be in the

jewellery party manifesto for the 8th of June?

Albie not be launching the manifesto here... Laughter. But I have given

my answer to the gentleman. Article eight guarantees the right to access

to quality-of-life and family life. The government has been written to

says that the controversial rape clause raises serious issues under

article eight. Can we assume that the government's insistence on

continuing with it, is this one which they find inconvenient? The

government is committed to supporting victims of rape and

domestic abuse. This is crucial to protect women who are faced with

very difficult circumstances, which is what the government has been

doing with the reformer she refers to. As part of these reforms, we

have made sure that victims can use third sector professionals to

endorse their claim while they receive support to help them cope

and recover. No government has a better record on protecting victims.

The family Court has powers to address a breach if someone has been

wilfully obstructive. Where the child's welfare requires it, the

court can transfer the child's residence to the other party. This

government is keen there should be effective action, and a green paper

on family Justice has already been announced. I'm grateful to my right

honourable friend for his answer. Unfortunately, enforcement is a

serious problem in the courts because of the criminal threshold

and lack of effective penalty. In some of the worst cases, the

nonresident parent can be cut out of the child's life. Will he agree that

this issue needs are addressed if we are to see equity in the family

justice system? It is right that there should be a clear system for

establishing the facts about breach, and that then it should be possible

to deal with the bridge effectively. As I have indicated to my honourable

friend and of course unable to make any announcement today, but a green

paper has been announced for later in the year and she and I have

already had the opportunity of discussing some of her ideas.

Question number 20, Mr Speaker. We are investing over ?1 billion to

create a straightforward quartz and tribunal system so that people can

have confidence in using the system themselves -- a straightforward

caught and tribunal system. The current reliance on printed

documents in quartz bothers people with unnecessary costs, and the UK

lags behind many countries including Australia, and even Turkey in the

use of technology in civil claims. Does he agree that we must speed up

the process of digitising courts in England and Wales if we are to

maintain our status? He is absolutely right. I agree with him.

We are making progress. We have equipped our criminal courts to work

digitally, reducing reliance on paper bundles. We are doing the same

in the civil courts. We have saved in one year an enormous pile of

paper. Devotees of these questions know that I measure this by the

height of the shard. We have now saved 4.3 Shard loads of paper.

Prisoners are more likely to have mental health problems than the

broader population. We are looking at custody and community, and

improving the mental health offering both in terms of looking at a

community protocol to be followed and indeed enhancing custodial

services. There were 119 prison suicides in 2016, an increase in 32%

over the previous year. And over 10,000 prisoners self harming, up

19%. Will he agree that these are appalling statistics, and what will

the government do to address this human misery? Each and every one of

those cases is a human tragedy. I have looked at quite a large number

of them in detail, and was at a women's prison last week, in which

suicide took place. We are investing money at the prison I visited last

week into better health care facilities, and I'm also looking at

the access to secure accommodation across the country, because this may

very well be an issue. 22. The government introduced an amendment

to prison rules last week, meaning prisoners can be placed in a

separation centre if they are involved in planning terrorism or

considered to pose a risk to national security. Those spreading

views that might encourage or influence others to commit a

terrorist crimes, or any views which undermines good conduct in prisons,

may be placed in the centre 's. What is he doing to ensure that prisoners

with extremist beliefs do not oppress other prisoners for their

faith? Of course people convert to religion for all sorts of reasons in

prison. Conversion does not mean radicalisation. It is important that

we have a regime in prisons where people who convert are not exploited

in any way. The separation centres are one way of removing dangerous

people, but obviously education and the support of risen offices plays a

vital role. 23 -- OTT support of prison officers plays a vital role.

As someone who is a strong advocate of citizens in the community,

reoffending rates are mixed across the country and we continue to look

at it closely to see exactly what it is that reduces reoffending, and to

see what works. Isn't it a fact that most women in prisons are themselves

extremely vulnerable, they have been victims themselves. They have been

victims of domestic abuse, addiction, mental health problems

and so on. Women's centres actually deal with the whole problem. I was a

Home Office minister who helped persuade the baroness to produce her

excellent report. We did it because of the number of women killing

themselves in jail. The government is planning new women's jails. More

women will murder themselves, we are at a record level. How will he stop

that happening without investing in women's centres? I should have said,

the best of luck to the honourable lady as she stands down at this

election. She represents a town I know very well, and I know she is a

particularly popular Member of Parliament. With regards to her

question, the building of the prisons shouldn't be interpreted as

increasing the number of places to lock women in. I agree with you

women often have very complex problems, and I am trying to

increase the number of women's centres in the country for that

reason. Because bringing everything under the same roof can help these

women to make the right to turn in life, away from crime. Topical

questions. Topical number one, Mr Speaker. In November, I committed

that the government would invest an additional ?100 million annually to

recruit 2500 prison officers. I can confirm that our recruitment figures

show we are on track to deliver this. On the 3rd of April, we

launched the new recruitment campaign to encourage more people to

apply. We also launched the new graduate programme. That programme

is now offering over 60 places this year. It is vital that we strengthen

the front line to turn our prisons into places of safety and reform,

and to reduce unacceptable levels of violence. This is my number one

priority as Secretary of State. Of course this will take time. We will

not fix our problems in weeks or months, but I think these figures

show we are making real progress. With three secretaries of state

including the former Justice Secretary last year taking the view

that families in Hull deserve to find out what had happened to their

babies' Ashes, why is it that the current Secretary of State refuses

to back the call from those families for an independent enquiry in Hull?

I'm very sympathetic to the honourable lady's concerns, and I

offer my sympathy to her constituents. We are supportive of

local historic investigations, but we don't plan to order a historic

enquiry in whole or elsewhere. Howell has made significant

improvements, including putting in place measures to improve practice

-- Hull has made significant improvements. Following the

important work done by the parents of my constituents, who was

tragically killed by a hit-and-run incident and representations I've

made to the Secretary of State, can my right honourable friend confirm

if she intends to see through the progress already made for tougher

sentences for dangerous drivers in the next Parliament, should the

Conservatives be re-elected to Parliament? If we return to

government, of course we will look to see through these vital reforms.

Yesterday the Leader of the Opposition confirmed a Labour leader

would launch enquiries into blacklisting. The current government

has blocked all such efforts. Successive secretaries have also

refused to release papers regarding the Shrewsbury 24. With the

secretary do the decent thing, review the decision and release the

papers to give those men and their families a chance of Justice? I'm

sure the honourable gentleman understands that we are currently

unable to make announcements at this point. According to the legal

commentator Joshua Rosenberg, this is the Secretary of State's very

last justice questions. I will give her one last chance. In March, the

Lord Chief Justice said she was completely and utterly wrong to say

she could not speak up for the judiciary in the face of personal

abuse. Will she finally admit that rather than do her duty, the

Secretary of State kowtowed to have friends in the press? I'm a great

believer in a strong, independent judiciary. But a free press is

important in our democracy. I don't think we should be in a position

where government ministers are saying what is and is not acceptable

for the press to print. Colchester is the home to the military

corrective training facility. We'll secretary state if this government

is returned, visit this with me and see what the civilian prisoners can

learn from that? I have heard great things about the facility he talked

about in Colchester. I would be delighted to come and visit him,

maybe in the next few weeks. I was recently called to do jury service

and got the chance to experience first-hand the current state of our

courts. The jury canteen had to close down because it malfunctioned.

The ladies toilet malfunction. The computers malfunctioned, surgeries

couldn't even be chosen. And despite the fantastic and very patient work

that the employees of the courts system do, it was at maths and in

need of substantial financial investment -- it was in a mess. She

should not be proud of her record in this matter, and what is she going

to do about it? What we are doing about this is investing ?1 billion

in modernising our courts, bringing more cases online, improving the

physical facilities, including all aspects of the way our courts

operate. I launched a joint statement with the judiciary late

last year talking about precisely this. I recently visited Dickson

house, and improved premises in Ferrum which provides accommodation

to prisoners as they transition to life outside prison. Can we paid

tribute to the team there, and outline what support is available to

offenders so that they don't fall into homelessness after criminality?

I pay tribute to the staff that, and all those who work in approved

premises around the country. They do a great job. The accommodation of

ex-offenders when they leave approved premises is an important

issues. We are working with the Department for communities, but also

the local government Association to work out ways in which we can

improve this, including statutory guidance. My constituent was the

victim of a road crash which left him paralysed from the neck dime.

His father said he can never take care of himself, or have a normal

life -- paralysed from the neck down. The man who caused the crash

had taken cannabis and had 81 previous offences. At the time of

the crash, he was banned for careless driving. He received just

three years and four months, despite destroying my constituent's life.

Can the minister pledged to look into the effectiveness of driving

bans? I firmly believe that the punishment

must fit the crime. There is a general collection coming up but if

a Conservative Government is elected, and surely will see this

through. We had a landmark legislation that made revenge upon a

specific offence. Any spring, there was a high-profile case where a

serial offender what free with a caution. One victim was a miner and

images posted with incitement are still online. What more can the

Government do to make sure this ground-breaking legislation really

delivers justice. Can I say that my noble friend is someone that is

known for the way in which she has breast incidents -- she has pressed

incidents of criminality for proper and effective punishment. In this

particular instance, it is a relatively new offence. The good

news is that many people have come forward since it came into force

reporting incidences of disclosure. There been a number of prosecutions.

Over 60 constituents offer. It is early days but I agree that we need

to treat these cases seriously. As a result of community rehabilitation

company is experiencing significant difficulties with the contracts. For

how many of the 21 community real politician companies are new payment

arrangements now agreed and in place. --?

arrangements now agreed and in place. We have been working on this

issue very carefully and will be announcing the results in due

course. I will come my right honourable friend's commitment that

a fresh preservative Government -- Conservative Government is committed

to prison reform. Will she guarantee the evidence of a just as committed

to great -- place a excellent? I think the chairman of the select

committee for its question. I know how committed he is to prison

reform. I have to tell them that our manifesto will be announced in due

course and the Prime Minister will make these decisions. This afternoon

in parliament, the families of four British soldiers murdered by the

Iranian in Hyde Park -- by the IRA in Hyde Park are hoping to bring it

the suspect to justice. Will the Secretary of State made with members

and peers who support the victim's campaign in order to make sure that

he is funding available so that just as they been denied for 35 years can

be remedied? Can I say that the deepest sympathies remain with these

affected by the dreadful Hyde Park bombing is? Terrible atrocities that

were in a dreadful situation for the nation at the time. Legal aid

decisions on cases such as these are made by an integrated process. A

breast at a nation was given by the agency on the 2nd of February. -- a

fresh determination. It is my understanding that there is a right

of review and the case is ongoing with the legally agency. I cannot

comment further at this time. The decision without a medal for any

meetings occur. The decision not to receive appropriate fees is welcome.

That is these increases would have fallen disproportionately by London

and the south-east because of the cost of housing. Canny Secretary of

State confirm that the next Conservative Government will not

proceed on this basis? ? I'm afraid we are not in a position to say what

is going to be in the manifesto. I think my honourable friend press

comments that will take account of. And helping families from across

Mike assiduously have been denied access to justice because of the

cuts. These cuts have been said to be undermining human rights. Was

that speaking for the Government when he spoke for a review? Was his

promise a cynical ploy to deflect attention from the damages plus

having on my community and the rest of the country. I know Simon Hughes

well having been his opponent in the 1987 general election and I think

I'm still president of the Conservatives.

LAUGHTER I deny I'm the only member. There

are quite a few. The Government has announced the timetable for the

review, which is welcome. It is odd that there has been a review called

by the man that was a minister at the time. It was a Democrat press

release and we all know about those. The Minister's presidential duties

are evidently not very own risk. -- not very own address. Recently,

pictures have most of the effect of black mambo, the zombie-like state

this job can induce. -- this microphone can induce. Can the

Minister ensures that everything is being done to handle the

availability of this type of drug? I agree with the Honourable friend

above the effect these stocks can have in and out of prison, one of

our key priorities is to detect these substances and eliminate their

years in prison. In this Government, brutal about the legal aid cut by

40%. Thousands upon thousands of people have been denied an

employment tribunals because they cannot afford it. Is this Government

Friday on the side of the rich, full and bad bosses? It is a union

campaign to talk about employment tribunal fees. Let's be clear, the

number of people taking up cases about the workplace has increased.

It hasn't gone down. It's up to 90,000. They are helped by a free

service. The Labour Party is to support them. This cases is to go

with -- less cases go to the tribunal because of ACAS. Exclusion

is an important tool for... An exclusion zone just covering the

county isn't particularly helpful. But the Government undertake to look

at this? The honourable member does great work and consider. He raises a

great point. And sure this is something we will look at in great

detail. Websites such as craigslist are being used by corrupt

individuals to advertised free accommodation in return for sex. For

the secretary of State agree that this is happening at a moment within

the law and the review has to take place to enjoy that the civil face

the full power of the law? I agree that this issue is concerning and

will take it up. How many foreign nationals are run prisons and what

steps are being taken to ensure that they go back to their own countries?

We are taking steps to ensure that every former National

interpretations -- in our prisons that should be deported are being

deported. In 2016-17 many were deported. Wouldn't we be more

reliable if we were reliably informed about justice from the Tory

Minister whose friendly Prime Minister has called a snap election

on June the 8th at about a fortnight before the Director of Public

Prosecutions was due to adjudicate on 32 of MPs -- 30 Tory MPs that

have been investigated for election fraud in the last election? The

Prime Minister is absolutely right to call a general election. We need

strong and stable leadership of this country. We need to ensure that the

Prime Minister has a mandate to deliver for Brexit and beyond. The

all-party group on preventing modern slavery shared in an excellent

manner by the departing lady for Slough, her from the prevalence of a

young man who had been imprisoned for 15 years as a slave. The

culprits were only sent to prison for 2.5 years. With the Justice

Secretary agree to speak to the sentencing council about the

severity of sentences for those who imprisoned are close. Can I agree

with my honourable friend in paying tribute for the honourable Lady for

the work she did on modern slavery and indeed our prime Minster has

made huge slide in putting away people for these crimes? We are

doing more on this. I'm working more on this. I have been in

correspondence and repeatedly asked over recent months if crucial and

important evidence can be released that is vital for the case of one of

my constituents. However, they have been less than helpful. The evidence

for the -- the deadline for the evidence to be deleted is

approaching. The prospect of justice for my constituents is getting

slimmer. The dedicated governor and staff at HMP bristled a brilliant

job at a struggling right now with an adequate staffing ratio, Brister

uses of drugs. When will this Government give the prison in my

constituency rituals that needs to do the job? I can tell the

honourable lady that I have visited HMP Bristol and I found some

dastardly Delhi to get it -- sympathetically dedicated prison

officers. That is why we invest lots of money to recruit 2500 prison

officers across the country and are on track with even greater. In order

to make a claim under the rape was a woman has to bite down on a forum

and signed as they they believe the nonconsensual exception applies to

my tries. Can the Government explain how this is in the best interests of

the child? The honourable lady doesn't seem to understand that this

is about supporting victims of rape and domestic abuse. This approach is

crucial to protect women that have faced difficult circumstances. As

part of these reforms, we've made sure that the victims are able to

use protective professionals to endorse the claim by the receive

support. -- while they receive support. Please have two short one

sentence questions. Will the Justice Secretary have written to look into

the case of Charlie God, a young boy with a fluid depletion condition

that is unable to leave Great Ormond Street Hospital. Treatment in the US

might just save his life. They have raised ?1.5 million to get Charlie

to the States. It's a complex legal case but if the Justice Secretary

has any power standard green -- promised to intervene, I played

without injury. There were a number of semicolons but it is a very

important matter, I accept. This case has been in the media. As I

understand, the clinicians have made a judgment that should be respected.

Knowing the huge cross-party support for better justice for victims of

criminal driving, will the ministers met data panenka legislation

promised before the end of this year if the Government is related? I

understand the honourable gentleman has been campaigning on this issue

for some time. He cannot make bitterness because we are in purdah.

-- we cannot make commitments because BR in purdah. Thank you, Mr

Speaker. I seek your advice on parliamentary protocol in a member

of that into another member's constituents as part of a campaign.

Conservative brand of paper out of the camera cut it Castle Alexis.

Asking them to vote for the Conservative candidates.