Live Justice Questions House of Commons

Tuesday the 12th of September. Tuesday the 12th of September.

Order! Questions of equal -- to the Minister of State for justice. The

legal aid agency regularly reviews the legal aid markets to review the

demand and takes action where a regional shortfall develops. I also

looked to -- look more widely at access to legal aid as part of a

package of limitation review on which I have to say more shortly.

The Children's Society 's latest report found that in Yorkshire we

have seen a 56% drop in the availability of free in every --

immigration advice between 2010 and 2016. Given the huge vulnerabilities

of young children, will the Secretary of State commit to

consider these children in the upcoming review of the legal aid

punishment of offenders act. There will certainly be the opportunity

for representation to be made and consideration to be given for that

sort of change. While the most recent legislation did indeed

exclude non-asylum immigration matters, much family law, including

cases involving vulnerable children who might be taken into local

authority care, asked two cases where legal aid is available.

Whilst it is undoubtedly true that there are fewer people having access

to legal aid now than before the reforms, it is also true that lots

of people are entitled to legal aid are not getting it. What can the

Justice Secretary do to make sure that these people get the access to

justice that they require? If therapy Buddle believe that they are

entitled to legal aid -- if there are people who believe they are

entitled to legal aid, I urge them to apply to the relevant authorities

and one of the legal aid providers -- advice providers. Even after the

exclusion of certain categories, legal aid expenditure last year

still amounted to ?1.6 billion, nearly a quarter of my department's

entire expenditure. Does the Minister believe that the

greater number of people having to represent themselves in court is

helping justice to be done in this country?

I think that what is important is both that we do manage legal aid in

a way that directs what are finite taxpayers resources to those cases

where there is greatest need, but we also look actively for ways to

simplify access to justice, including through the use of digital

technologies so that people do not feel they need always to have that

kind of professional representation. Barely one third of immigration

detainees at me that -- know that they are entitled to 30 minutes of

representation. Given the horror show we saw on last my's panorama,

will the Minister assure that all D10 you get access to the legal aid

they require? As the honourable gentleman knows,

the centre that was the subject of last my's programme is accountable

to the Home Office. I know that Mike honourable friend was concerned that

action has been taken. On the broader point, legal aid is

available for asylum cases, stale. And I would certainly hope that the

appropriate measures are taken in every relevant establishment for

those rights to be brought to the attention of anybody who is detained

who might qualify. Could I press the secretary of state

on a date for publication of the legal aid review and can I ask him

how many people that have been denied legal aid, the government has

heard from? I would hope to be able to give Parliament details in the

relatively near future. I am conscious that this is work that has

been able to make an announcement been able to make an announcement

on. Matters like the general election have intervened. I want to

press ahead with this as soon as the will. Following the Supreme Court

judgment at the end of July on employment tribunal fees, we

immediately stop charging them. We are putting in place arrangements to

refund those who have paid in the past and we will be announcing the

practical details arrangement shortly.

I have been contacted by constituents who have a burden

placed upon them and going through and employment tribunals case which

they won. Will the Minister ensure that those entitled to claim are

made aware of the process and reunited with their money in a

timely fashion? I thank the honourable member for

that question. It can be an ordeal to go to the employment tribunal or

any tribunal. Which is why I pay tribute to the work of ACAS. We will

set out the practical arrangements for the reimbursement of fees and

make sure that all the points for through before we do that. It is no

pleasure to say that a number of the criticisms of the development of

this policy were foreshadowed in the justice committee's report in the

last session. As well as very wacky and promptly acting to reimburse

fees, worldly -- as very brightly and promptly acting to reimburse

fees, will the Minister make sure that they're rather better means of

increment in this policy will so we do not end up in this position

again? We will certainly be considering further his committee's

report. The former chair of the Select Committee... In due course.

We will look at that. The cost of the employment tribunals was ?16

million, only ?8 million from fees, the rest from taxpayers. So the

balance of requiring some contribution from those who use the

justice system and the taxpayers is inherently different. We recognise

we got the balance wrong and blending those fees and we are

looking at the practical arrangements to reimburse money.

In the light of the court ruling and the report of the Select Committee,

was the decision to introduce fees in the first place a mistake? We

certainly access the Supreme Court ruling. We think we got the balance

wrong. -- we certainly access to. We will learn the lessons from the

future. Another Select Committee also called for changes because they

affect pregnant women and new mums who have experience in Midland

increases into commendation in the last ten years. Within minutes to

look at the other part of the recommendation which is introduce

the -- increase the time limit for pregnant mothers and new mums to

bring cases to court? Will certainly look into all aspects of all the

various Select Committee reports. May I start by welcoming the

Minister to this place. The Supreme Court ruled that the secondary

legislation which brought in the employment tribunal fees interfered

with access to justice and employment rights. Does the Minister

accessed that the Supreme Court's judgment demonstrates that

fundamental rights like the quality and access to justice should not be

changed or underlined by secondary legislation which receives little or

no Parliamentary scrutiny? The honourable lady makes a point in a

powerful way. The Supreme Court also recognised that fees can have a role

to play and they helped secure justice by making the necessary

resources are available. We recognise we got the balance wrong

which is why we have taken immediate action to end the fees and we will

be coming up with the practical arrangements to reimburse. In 2015,

the Scottish Government said that as soon as the power to do so is

devolved, they would abolish tribunal fees. Does he accept that

the Scottish Government choosing to do it voluntarily as opposed to the

UK Government doing it after being forced, show that the case for

devolving employment rights is strong? Obviously, we fully in

favour of the principle of devolution. A whole range of justice

matters been devolved. In the Supreme Court, Baroness Hale was

very concerned about meritorious claims being put off by the fees but

you also acknowledge that there are meritorious claims and those do the

damage to relations in the workplace. Woody Minister consider

looking at any fairer ways of sifting out on meritorious claims

such as the suggestion of having a sift before the application was made

into a full case? My honourable friend makes a strong point. It is

something we can look at. It fully, I think it is fair to say that we

got the balance wrong on the specific issue of fees. One of the

strong elements that we are looking to reinforce is the role of ACAS.

And we have seen a conciliation and the cases referred to it has had a

strong impact in reducing cases that need to go to the employment

tribunal. I wrote to the Secretary of State in

July calling on him to issue a full and unequivocal apology to working

people for unlawfully blocking their access to justice through employment

tribunal fees. I received this wholly inadequate response last

week. Will the Minister apologised today for the suffering this policy

has caused to hundreds of thousands of working people? We admitted and

we concede we got the balance wrong. I'm very sorry, I'm happy to say.

For any frustration or any delete 's impact this has on anyone. That's

why we acting quickly to end the charges and ensure there are

practical arrangements for the reimbursement for anyone affected by

those fees. The government is investing 1.9 billion to transform

ability to respond to cybercrime. I'm committed to making sure victims

get the support they need to cope with and as far as possible recover

from the effects of crime. The national cyber Security Centre is

part of GCHQ which the Foreign Commonwealth Office has ministerial

responsibility for. Given that its government policy that victim

support is to be commissioned locally by each individual PCC, is

the Minister content there is sufficient resource for victim

support, and given the year-on-year increase in cybercrime, with the

Minister not agree that considering national and international nature of

cybercriminals, that a single national approach to victim support

would act as a better deterrent and a better support structure for

victims rather than allowing criminals to cherry pick among the

43 police forces? As I made clear in my original response, cyber security

doesn't sit with this department. The cyber security policy sits with

the Cabinet Office. With reference to victim support funding, it's gone

up 51,000,020 10-11. I'm pleased to announce it goes up to 96,000,020

17-18. Most of it is spent through PCCs. As crime changes and the focus

on cybercrime grows, what assurances can the Minister give us that the

police budget will match this changed focus and we will not see a

loss of bobbies on the beat as resources are inevitably shifted?

Unfortunately I am not a Minister of the Home Office so I can't respond

in detail to that question. I would encourage the honourable member to

write to the relevant Minister. Can I ask the Minister, when will we see

the draft of the evictee this bill which was committed to by the

government and Her Majesty'sopposition? I thank my

right honourable friend for the question. We are committed to the

victims Bill in legislation in the last manifesto. We are up against it

in terms of parliamentary time, as my honourable friend I'm sure

understands. But work continues with regards to the legislation required,

most likely to underpin the victims code. Does the Minister recognise

how vital international cooperation is in tackling cybercrime? I hope he

is aware of the excellent work done by Europol, for example, the UK

sending more than 400,000 malware files to the Europol service since

it was founded two years ago. Has the government decided whether the

UK will stay part of that EU mechanism to fight cybercrime? I

hate to repeat myself, but the two policy areas the right honourable

gentleman refers to do not sit with the Justice Department. Cyber

security sits with the Cabinet Office and membership of Europol

sits with the Home Office. Child sexual abuse is abhorrent. The

taxpayer funded criminal injuries scheme provides an important avenue

of redress for victims. The criminal injuries compensation authority

administers the scheme and decides all claims individually,

independently of ministers and Parliament. I thank the Minister for

that. Will he commits to updating the guidance in three specific

areas? First, children cannot be complicit in their own abuse.

Second, children, as part of the grooming process, children are

coerced into carrying out criminal activities. And third, looking at

giving compensation to family members of victims. I'm happy to

look further at all of those three issues. I can say that following

some of the concerns expressed earlier this year, it's been decided

to mount an urgent re-examination of their own internal guidelines, in

particular to make sure there is no risk that a child could be

disqualified from compensation because they had been groomed.

Groomed into giving consent when that consent had in effect been

forced from them by a subtle process of grooming. The Department is also

concerned about concerns raised about how the rules of the scheme or

generally work in cases of child sexual abuse. We are talking to

organisations like Barnardos and victim support in detail about those

concerns and the reforms they propose in order to deal with them.

If it's a criminal offence to have sex with a child, how is such an

offence anything but a crime of violence? To say child victims

cannot receive compensation for their abuse is simply victim

blaming. The definition of a crime of violence was last reviewed five

years ago. When will this be reassessed to Insua sexually abuse

children are not denied compensation? -- to ensure. We are

discussing with various charities to discuss the concerns they bring.

There is a decision between consent in law and consent in fact. This is

something that has been written into the law since it was first

introduced, I believe, by the previous Labour government that

administered it in their time in office. Its purpose was to ensure we

did not end up in a situation where, for example, two 15-year-olds are

engaging in sexual intercourse automatically lead to a claim for

compensation. It would be left to the authority to look at the facts

of the case. I am very willing to look at the guidance that it applies

to individual cases. But I don't think we should lose sight that

there was a reasonable motive behind the law as it was originally

drafted. Nobody denies the absolute right and need for victims to claim

compensation, but with the Secretary of State not agree with me, there

may be occasions, for example in the grave allegations made against the

late Edward Heath, that the informant is incentivised some way

by bringing forward the accusation. Shouldn't the compensation be made

after the outcome of the case is known. The way the scheme operates,

it provides compensation for people who are victims of crime. All of us

as constituency members can think of cases where somebody has been

perhaps the victim of an assault but it has be impossible to successfully

prosecute the person or people responsible. And therefore that

direct linked to a conviction is not there in the scheme. Where there is

evidence compensation has been sought fraudulently, then the

authority ought to seek the necessary legal action in order to

recover those funds. Question number five, Mr Speaker. With permission,

Mr Speaker, I will group questioned five question 16. Education and

employment opportunities are crucial to help offenders turn around their

lives. In line with our reforms, every prisoner will have a personal

learning plan linked to their sentence plan to make this reform.

We are giving governors control over education resources to fit prisoners

needs. Gardening and horticultural schemes to grow edible crops are

becoming increasingly incorporated into prison programmes and those in

remand up and down the country, giving offenders transferable

skills, offering future opportunities and encouraging self

confidence and quite often transferring unattractive yards into

green spaces. Can the Minister give an indication as to whether a formal

assessment has been made to any of these programmes with a view to

rolling out the best of the models even more widely? My honourable

friend is right. I remember visiting a prison in Daventry and seeing the

pride with which the prisoners were tending to their gardens. They spent

hours doing them up. She may be aware of the Royal Horticultural

Society Trophy awards, judged by an independent panel looking at the

best gardening schemes across the prison estate. If he doesn't mind I

would be delighted but her name forward as a judge in future.

Category D prisons often have the best examples of rehabilitation is

as they prepare to let their prisoners back into the community.

In my constituency a person has worked for the Council not only to

do rehabilitative work, preparing prisoners for work, but also saving

the taxpayer ?300,000. I wonder if the Minister agree with me that

other prisons in the sector can use from category D's rehabilitative

practice and whether he will come and see how well it can work. My

honourable friend has lighted on an important principle, worked in

prison is vital to preparing prisoners for life after release.

That is an excellent example which is why I'm supporting the new

futures network to develop relationships between employers,

governors and the world of work. I would be delighted to visit the

prison in due course. I have never heard of such complacency from the

government, the prisons service is a shambles. And at the heart of this

shambles is the lack of education, the lack of literacy, lack of

numerous sea, the lack of apprenticeships that should be, like

our Scandinavian brethren, be in every prison. When will you wake up?

My honourable friend has come back from his summer holiday with his

customary passion. I do agree with him that if prisons are going to

work properly we need to help give people the opportunity to turn

around their lives. Prison reform is important to this government. That's

why we are giving governors more control of their budgets. That's why

we are giving governors more freedom to actually implement the plans that

are necessary for offenders to turn their lives around. I share his

concern, I share his passion, and it's a priority for this government.

How will the personal learning plans, of which the Minister has

just spoken, operate when a prisoner is transferred from one prison to

another? What guarantees can he give that the education path the prisoner

has commenced upon can be continued in his new setting, or her new

setting, and there can be consistency offered right across the

prison estate? The honourable member points out a serious problem that

currently exists in the estate. Prisoners are transferred and can't

continue courses they had started. Some were on GCSE programmes and

couldn't finish them. We are looking at courses and a technology system

that allows them carry on whatever they are doing when they are

transferred from one prison to another so there is progress and

progression on all these courses. I completely agree with her, it's

something we are looking at. If Britain is to achieve anything, it

must change lies. The best chance to do that is to offer people both

education and assisted place to work on release. -- if prison is to

achieve anything. Given three fifths of prisoners leave prison without

any identified qualification or implement opportunities, can my

honourable friend assure these programmes are at the centre of the

prison system and how they are being adjusted for greater success? My

honourable friend is right. About 50% of prisoners have the reading

age of an 11-year-old and numerous sea skills of an 11-year-old. If we

are to give them a chance in life we have to sort out education and also

give employment skills that actually are valued in the workplace. That's

why prison reform, which was a heart of the White Paper the government

published last November is carrying on apace. The Chief inspectors of

prisons and probation recently issued a devastating report into the

government's flagship community rehabilitation companies which

stated, "And none of the prisoners had been helped into employment by

through the gate services". Will the Minister commit to an urgent review

that all of CRCs, including education and deployment services,

and will he guarantee no extra money will be passed on to these private

companies until it can be proven that they are fit for purpose?

The probation reforms that the previous comment rolled out help

fortify thousand offenders who have not been supervised because they

were being in prison for 12 months, they are now been supervised. There

are challenges with a first-generation outsourcing

programme. We have got an ongoing probation review, the first half is

completed. There were extra funds invested in the CRCs. But we are

still within the funding envelope that was decided at the start of

that programme. We are carrying on the review to make sure that through

the gate and other services are operating as originally envisaged.

With permission, I would like to answer this question together with

question 13. We have established a new extreme is an unit between HM

PPS and the Home Office to strengthen our our approach to the

threat of extremism in prisons. Front line staff in prison and the

probation service are being given the training skills and authority

needed to challenge extremist views and take action against them. The

first separation centre at HMP Frankland was opened in 2017 and the

first prisoners are now held there. The facilities will hold the most

extreme prisoners and protect the more vulnerable from the poisonous

ideology. I am grateful for that answer. Extremists target those

prisoners who they think will be most susceptible. But what impact

does he anticipate the removal of such individuals will have on the

prison population as a whole? The decision to proceed with the

separation centres was only taken after very careful thought and we

judged that the benefits to the general prison population and

particularly vulnerable and impressionable prisoners, would be

beneficial if we could take out of association with them those who pose

the greatest risk. Those who are going to be in separation centres

will be assessed by experts on a regular basis and they will only be

returned to the mainstream population in prison if it is agreed

that the effect that they will have is reduced.

Many young men start their journey towards radicalisation by seeking

out in prison the strong male role model that they lack in their lives

outside. What are the government doing to ensure there are better

role models in prison to guide them? My honourable friend makes a

valuable point which has resonance not just to do with penal policy but

also social policy. There are many charities and voluntary

organisations which, by example, by bringing sport into prisons are

helping to provide the adult male role models that he wants to see

more. In the context of extremism, it is also important to pay tribute

to the work of the Imam in the prison chaplaincy service who argue

from a basis of scholarship and expertise to rebut some of these

arguments. Figures from his own department show that there are 1000

prisoners who are radicalise all vulnerable to it. But when they

leave prison, such as the Westminster Terrace, they need to

the effectively monitored. -- the Westminster terrorist. Is there a

robust relationship between the police and prison authorities so

that when these people come out of prison, we no one they are -- we

know where they are and what they are doing? Our information is that

only one of those involved in the recent attacks in Manchester and

London have spent time in prison, dating back to 2003. There was no

evidence to suggest that that man had been radicalised in prison.

Clearly, we want to see the strongest possible joint work

between the police and the prison service and the probation service.

What we have at the moment is strong but there are always lessons that

can be learned and always improvements that can be sought and

we are committed not to be complacent and to continue with

vigilance and determination. In his initial answer, the Secretary

of State spoke of a new initiative. Can you tell us if that comes with

new money and if that is adequate? It is part of the duty of the prison

service to look after appropriately all those whom the court has sent

into custody. So we have found the money for the separation centres

from within existing Ministry of Justice budgets. And that, I

believe, is a sensible prioritisation of expenditure which

will bring about benefits to the management of the prison population

more generally by separating of those who pose a particular risk

from extremist ideology. We have a robust sentencing framework for all

crimes involving child sexual exploitation. The changes made to

the criminal and Courts act enhance the changes and make sure that

serious offenders are only released when it is safe to do so. I thank

the Minister for his reply. On the 1st of November this year, one

offender will be released from prison after receiving a sentence of

22 years. He will be released after five years. Legislation was passed

to make sure that most serious offenders could not be released

until they had served two thirds of their sentence and has satisfied the

parole board that they were not a risk. What can be done to ensure

that this legislation applies in this case? I am aware of this case

and the heinous crimes committed and the appalling effect on the victims.

The oval ball in the sentencing framework between 22 and 2015 means

that that type of sentence would not be passed now. I cannot intervene in

individual cases and changes to legislation to strengthen sentences

cannot be passed retrospectively. Bearing in mind that 70% of all

victims of sexual exportation were under 11, could the minister

outlined a perk -- which you deal with the aftermath of its flotation

in children possible path to adults would? I would be hammered to write

to the honourable member about the impact. One of the barriers to

prosecution in child sexual exportation cases is that too often

the victims are wrongly thought to be complicit in their own

exploitation. And can I say to him that that is the importance of the

issues that the member for rather just raise. There should be

absolutely no suggestion in any government guidelines that children

can be complicit in their own exploitation and that is why that

guidance from the prosecuting these silly change now. A powerful point.

Nobody wants to blame the day -- laid the blame at any victim,

especially not children. The criminal injuries scheme will be

looked at but that operates in a different context of the criminal

justice system. It can also apply when there has not been a criminal

conviction. Drones are raised serious threat to

order and stability in our prisons for the contraband that they are

used to smuggle. Our intelligence work tells us that much of this

activity is backed up by organised crime is gang which is why we have

invested in our intelligence teams and also a specialist unit between

the prison service and the police service to track down and plus cute

these offenders. In the last year, there have been 40 arrests, 11

convictions involving drone activity resulting in those individual

serving a total of 40 years in jail. With offenders likely to be

reconvicted if they are a known drug user, I wonder if my honourable

friend could tell the House how in relation to drugs, what work is

being done to take steps to tackle the supply of drugs into our prisons

by drones. -- by the use of drones. Drones are one way in which drugs

are smuggled into our prisons. We are looking at all the possible ways

that drugs could be smuggled in. In the case of new psychoactive

substances, paper can be impregnated with these drugs and it can be very

difficult to detect. But the way to do so is to get intelligence from

each establishment and also across different parts of the prison

service so that we can respond appropriately and we are investing

heavily in order to do so and combat the drug frog in prisons.

The escape in February of a convicted murderer serving a 30 year

sentence was linked to the dropping of a mobile phone into prison in

Liverpool by a drones so he conveys with villains outside to effect his

escape. So what steps is the minister taking to enhance and its

bar and the schemes already put in place to disrupt drones over prisons

and in passing, has he found the prisoner yet? My right honourable

friend who is a former prisons Minister is well aware that the job

of tracking down and arresting prisoners is a matter for the police

service. However, in response to the other part of his question, we are

looking at various types of technology to disrupt the flight of

drones into our prisons to deliver contraband.

Question number nine. In 2014, the government introduced requirement

for potential claimants to consider conciliation. The proceedings at the

employment tribunal. The number of cases going to conciliation

quadrupled, rising to 92,020 1520 16.

Sex and discrimination claims fell by 60% and others by 16%. In his

recent judgment, the Supreme Court made it clear that this affected

women disproportionately. What steps were taking to, say those people who

were denied access to justice because they couldn't afford to

pursue a claim in the first place? Of the honourable lady. She is right

to refer to the end of the fees and proposals for reimbursement. In

reference to potential claims which were not brought, anyone who wants

to bring a claim can submit to the Yvonne intervene to bring a case

outside the time limit. They will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

-- they can submit them to the tribunal.

I would like to group question ten in question 17. The government is

aware that by leaving the European Union will bring an end to the

jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in the United Kingdom.

Scotland has its own distinct legal system. Brexit will impact directly

on this legal system and non-justice systems within Scotland and on a

range of devolved issues. Can the Minister confirm that this

distinction will be given serious consideration as the Brexit

negotiations progress? Yes, as Mr Speaker, and indeed, when I spoke to

the Mr Matheson last month, I emphasise to him that one of our key

objectives in the official and ministerial level conversations

between my department and his would be to ensure that the interests and

the particular features of the Scottish justice system are properly

reflected in the work that the United Kingdom is doing particularly

on future civil judicial cooperation with the European Union.

In January, the Prime Minister unambiguously asserted that Brexit

will allow the UK to take back its laws and bring an end to the

European Court of Justice jurisdiction in Europe. But last

month, it appeared that the UK would be willing to work with the EU for

judicial supervision. Could the Minister, given this change, how the

Prime Minister got it so wrong in January? I think the honourable

gentleman is really the government's position... The Prime Minister was

very clear in her leg as to how speak, the position is that this

country's exit from the European Union means that the European

Union's treaties cease to apply to the UK and that therefore, the

direct effect that decisions of the Court of Justice of the European

Union have in United Kingdom will seize from that point. What is also

the case is that, as spelt out in the government paper on disputes

resolution, there are many international examples of

arbitration mechanisms that involve different jurisdictions are coming

together to agree on how to take account of their different court's

the Ouse in coming to a settlement and when a dispute arises. So

approaching these negotiations in a constructive fashion.

Number 11. With your permission, Mr Speaker, I will group this question

with question 18. Surrounding vulnerable witnesses in Crown Court,

and three... We have recognise there are concerns about the operations of

the victims code and are considering how compliance might be monitored

and improved. Despite the progress is that have been made, attending

court as a witness and particularly as a victim can still be very

stressful. Can my honourable friend in large from me on what steps the

government is taken to ensure victims and witnesses know what to

expect when they attend court and that they are treated with respect

in court and they know when they are required in court? We want to use

technology to assist all witnesses and not just those who are

vulnerable and intimidated. That's why we are exploring ways of making

best use of technology such as video links to allow witnesses to avoid

the stress and or inconvenience of having to be physically present in

the courtroom. We also plan to develop an online tool that would

allow witnesses to access information about a case such as a

trial date quickly easily. Research on victim support found more than

half of victims have unwanted contact with a defendant at court.

How will the government's court reforms ensure separate entrances,

waiting rooms and facilities are standard across all criminal courts?

As I'm sure he is aware, the government is investing more than 1

billion to modernise court systems to put the needs of victims first.

The court and Tribunal service recently established model victim

and witness waiting rooms at Nottingham, Manchester, Newcastle,

Liverpool and Aldershot, drawing on feedback from the victims

commissioner, the witness service and court users. Minister will be

aware that the support 's police and crime commissioners get for working

with victims, decisions are often made very late in the financial

year. Will he consider making three year-long provisions so the services

provided could be provided more efficiently and also with greater

stability? There are areas where the cc are doing very good work and

there are areas where the workers perhaps not successful. -- where the

ccs. I wanted to announce annual awards so we could follow the money

and find out what works so we can provide better services for victims.

Prior to the introduction of the prisoner and court bill in the last

Parliament, no research had actually been carried out into the effects of

virtual justice reforms either on witnesses, victims or defendants.

Will he now guaranteed that research into these key areas will be done

and published in advance of the court bill being brought back into

the house? We are consulting with a variety of different agencies and

the victims Commissioner on the work she alludes to. We are in the

process of testing pre-recorded cross-examination at a number of

centres across the country. I don't want the honourable member for

Yeovil to feel that he was out of the water in a way. Mr Marcus Fish!

Justice delayed can be justice denied. It can also be very

distressing for victims and witnesses, such as constituents of

mine, to suffer repeated delays in scheduling and notification of

hearing dates and notification of verdicts, which in some cases have

even been learned from the opposing parties. What can be done to improve

court processes and time frames in their communication? I thank my

honourable friend for his custom. All criminal justice agencies are

committed to keeping victims and witnesses informed about their case.

The outcomes of cases involving vulnerable victims and witnesses are

available on court systems within 24 hours. Professionals involved in the

case and present on the day will know the outcome immediately. If the

honourable gentleman is aware of details of any other cases where

they might not be happening, these Danny Wright to me and I will

respond. -- please can he writes to me. Since the start of January to

the end of June 2017 there has been a net increase of 868 new prison

officers, put in as well on track to recruit 2500 new officers by

December 2018. Will the Minister be aware of the major drugs finds and

major problems at the home house prison in my constituency which has

seen experienced officers leave and replaced by 18-year-old recruits.

Does the Minister really think that recruiting youngsters is the answer

to meet the needs of an increasing present operation, tackle drugs and

solve the crisis in the prison service? I take issue with the

implication behind the honourable member's question. We are recruiting

new prison officers. We were all inexperienced once but it doesn't

mean we are not capable of doing our jobs. I have been to our training

centre and a lot of the recruits are of the highest calibre, using the

same recruitment methods we have used all through the years. The

opposition did not believe we could deliver these numbers. We are

delivering them and I think we should be supporting the government.

The government's excellent policy in building a modern new prison in

Wellingborough. Will the Minister be able to say how many new prison

officers will be working at Wellingborough and when it will

open. If you can't tell us now, will he write to me? I will certainly

write to the honourable member about the staffing arrangements at

Wellingborough, which have not been decided yet. But we are very proud

and keen to be progressive with the opening of that prison. The Minister

is boasting about the number of prison officers recruiting this

year. But actually his ministry's on figures show that 35 prisons, one

third of all prisons, have suffered a fall in front line officer numbers

since January this year. Is this another example of what the former

Director-General of prisons now describes as ministers doing nothing

except issuing cheery press releases which suggest all is going precisely

to plan? This is nothing about cheery press releases. 868 people on

the payroll and have started in our prisons and are doing and heroic and

brave job. We have promised to recruit 2500 new officers by the end

of 2030, and we are on track to deliver that target. Of course,

there are wider issues with the prison system, the retention of

officers, which we are working on. We are also going beyond that, for

example getting smart graduates to work on the front line. And again we

have exceeded targets. These are not a boast, it was the opposition who

said nobody would want to work in our prisons and talked the officers

down. It's good to see people stepping up to do what is a brave

and challenging job. Topical questions. Topical number one, Sir.

My priorities as Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State are to uphold and

defend the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. And

to ensure that our prisons are safe and secure places that also work

effectively and with the probation service to rehabilitate offenders.

That means strengthening the front line in the way my honourable friend

has described. But it also means we need to respond better to reports

from prison inspectors. That's why I am setting up a new unit, ultimately

accountable to ministers, to ensure we respond to and follow up

inspectors' report is swiftly and effectively. How many foreign

national offenders are in our prisons and why isn't more being

done to send them to secure detention in their own countries? As

of the 30th of June this year, there were 6792 convicted foreign national

offenders serving sentences in our prisons. In 2016-17 we removed 6177

such offenders from the United Kingdom, including prisoner

transfers. That's the highest number since records began. The Right

Honourable member for Kettering will surely reissue his textbook to

colleagues on succinct questions. This summer I was proud to sign up

to the campaign launched by Jean Martin to change the law so that

disgraceful practice of so-called up skirting is made a specific sexual

offence. Will the Minister join us today in backing the school for a

change in the law? I have taken very seriously the representations made

by not only Gino Martin but from some of the police and crime

commissioners around the country. I have asked for detailed advice on

this. I hope the honourable gentleman would understand that

before proceeding to legislation I want to be absolutely certain this

will be the right course to take. Legal services in the UK are held

rightly in high regard around the world and are a major asset to our

economy. What is the Minister doing to champion and defend the interests

of the legal sector in this country? He's absolutely right, legal

services exports contribute a trade surplus of 3.4 billion to the UK

economy. The UK is a global leader in dispute settlement. We're working

with this sector to promote this key camp arable advantage. It's a

priority for the Brexit negotiations. As a global leader, we

will be taking to the International bar Association conference in

Australia next month. Last week a report from the committee of the

United Nations made 60 recommendations to the government as

to how it can better comply with the UN Convention on the rights of

Persons with disabilities. Can the Minister tell me how will the

government respond and what changes in government policy to disabled

people were we expect to see as a result? It's for the Minister for

disabled people and the Department for Work and Pensions to decide on

the overall government response to that report. I think the government

was right to express disappointment that the report failed to

acknowledge you significant advances that this government has made in

improving the lot of disabled people in this country, not least in seeing

a record number of people with disabilities now in employment. I

would like to ask a front bench, what upgrades have been attained in

prisons and achieved since we have come into office, and how we are

going to rehabilitate prisoners even further. I'm assuming my honourable

friend is referring to the prison estate where we have invested ?1.3

billion to modernise the estate. As part of this we will be building

10,000 modern prison places to help with offender rehabilitation. In

terms of where we are now, we have started with a proposed development

at Glenn Carver and also HMP Wellingborough. We have also

announced plans to open four new prisons in Yorkshire, as well as

Port Talbot in Wales and redevelop the young offender institution at

Rochester. Given the problems the department has had one it has

privatised many services, it seems extraordinary there are now plans to

privatise a selection of court fines and outsource the work of civil

enforcement officers. When will the government acknowledged these

sensitive public services should be delivered by the body cannot private

cowboys. Can the Minister update me on when

the revised... INAUDIBLE We are committed to doing everything

we can to improve the treatment of victims in the justice system. In

relation to the practice session of which he refers, we expect to

receive a since the election hundreds of constituents have

contacted me about our current animal cruelty laws which are not

fit for purpose. A maximum prison sentence of six months for some of

the most appalling crimes such as torturing a dog to death is

completely unacceptable. What steps will the Minister take to ensure

that the sentencing guidelines are rigorously reviewed and

strengthened? I thank the honourable lady and I

sit share her desire to see robust sentences. In January, the

sentencing council published new guidelines on relevant aggravating

factors in animal cruelty cases. In the past 18 months, some of my

decisions have died in HMP Bristol. As one of the highest rates -- one

of the prisons with the highest rate of self-inflicted injury, what

actions are being taken to get this figure down? Every death in custody

is a tragedy and I offer my condolences to the members of the

family. We have increased staff at HMP Bristol by 31 prison officers in

the last year. I chair a weekly safer custody meeting and we

investigate each death to see how we might prevent others. And we look at

custody where mental health patients are involved. I would be willing to

visit my honourable friend's prison to look at this as you.

If larger, the Minister said that Brexit was a good thing because it

young workers would be able to work longer hours. Can you confirm that

the working Time directive would be continued? We are committed to the

best possible employment conditions for all British workers. We have a

fine record of achievement on that and we will ensure that when we

leave the European Union, there is no diminution in workers' rights.

In January last year, an Afghan national who previously served time

for murder in the Netherlands, attacked two Crawley police

officers. Recently, the Court of Appeal has reduced his sentence. Can

I seek assurances from my right honourable friend that

representations will be made to the Home Office to insure that he is

deported at the earliest opportunity? Mr Speaker, I can give

my honourable friend the issue is that the views of the Police

Federation and others in this constituency will be conveyed to the

Home Office. It remains the government's collective will to

ensure that those foreign national offenders who merits deportation are

deported as soon as possible after serving their sentence. Is the

Minister aware that the equality and human rights commission have

recommended that the protections afforded by the European Union

Charter should be retained in the UK, and what is he going to do about

it? I am always the roses by the approach of the opposition to the

charter. When the Labour Party was in power, they claimed unfortunately

that they were seeking an op -- opt out. Now they say they will drop

back in. We have the strongest protection for human rights in this

country. We will see no diminution in those rejections. But the charter

is surplus to requirements. Does my right honourable friend agree that

the pilot screen that allowed the filming of judges' sentencing

remarks has been a incessant Willy now allow the broadcasting of court

proceedings so that justice is not just on, but seem be done? We have

made progress and years right that one area under review is

broadcasting of judges' sentencing remarks in the Crown Court. We last

year conducted experiments and we are looking at those trials and we

will see how best to proceed. 316 people died in our prisons last year

but e-mails from prison doctors printed in the media if your days

ago say they are not -- there are not enough medical staffing prisons

and urgent referrals are cancelled because of escort shortfalls. What

is the Justice Secretary planning to do to tackle this growing health

care crisis in custody? We are very conscious that the government has a

duty of care to everyone we hold in custody. We are working with the

health Department on a number of protocols including around mental

health but also to ensure that prisoners get access to the health

care they need when they need it. Would ministers give the House their

response to the recent report by Lord farm on the importance of

strengthening prisoners' family ties to reduce reoffending? Lord farm's

report is an excellent report. Family ties are important to help

people turn around their lives but also helps to improve stability in

prisons. We will be polishing -- publishing our response in due

course. Whilst I welcome the Minister's news about increased

prison officers in HMP Bristol, I am concerned that the Department's own

figures show that 770 experienced officers left the service last year.

What is the Minister doing to retain and keep fully longer term

experience, valuable prison officers? It is always the case that

therapy puzzle would leave an organisation -- that there are

people who would leave an organisation because of retirement

or because they are not happy with what has been happening. We have got

a retention plan and the number that I gave earlier on, 868, net new

prison officers, takes account of people leaving the service. So we

are actually up on last year's figures in taking account of people

leaving the service. Having recently met with the government of a prison

in my constituency, drones are becoming an increasing problem in

prison as is the illegal use of mobile phones. The two are linked as

the mobile phones give greater frequency and accuracy for drone

activity. Does the Minister agree that the way to Cardrona activity

and stop illegal mobile phone use to tell but phone activity and stop

illegal phone use. Is to support my private members Bill. I fully

support that bill, it is the right way to deal with the illegal use of

mobile phones used to carry on a legalistic -- activity from behind

bars. The building of a prison on the back of an industrial park is

causing disquiet as my constituency. But IOC Minister to come to the

public meeting to explain the physician to the community? The

member is aware that ministers do not attend public consultation

events around obtaining planning permission for new prisons. He is

also aware that the site at Port Talbot was proposed along with a

number of sites by the Welsh government who continue to support

us in redeveloping the site for a new prison. I have received his

representations on behalf of constituents, years diligent and

persistent. And also we had a meeting on this on July 12.

Obviously, subject to the two-day consultation which is more than

would normally happen, I would be happy to think about what would

ameliorate the concerns of his constituents. Woody Secretary of

State look at the way families are treated by insurance companies when

the householder get sick of your convictions. The Salvation Army has

highlighted cases where is sure is has either been denied all made

prohibitively expensive which I think is unnecessary? I am having to

look at this and I am happy to examine this further. With exemplary

brevity, I feel sure. With this view to historic child abuse in North

Wales, will the Minister look at a report into the Waterhouse inquiry

which relates to many of the children? The honest answer is that

I'm not familiar with the detail as to why an unredacted copy has not

been published but I will undertake to her to ask for urgent advice on

that and write to her. I will call the next member if he keeps to a

short sentence? Will my right honourable friend join me in paying

tribute to the Lord Chief Justice's work who will have retired by the

time we take these questions next time for his integrity as a judge

and is modernising work in England and Wales. I am happy to join my

honourable friend in his salute to Lord Thomas who has been a

formidable and exemplary leader of the professional judiciary. What has

struck me in the short time I have held my office is the enormous

respect and also affection in which Lord Thomas is held by his

colleagues on the judicial bench. And I am sure the entire house will

want to wish him all the best. In the last Parliament, a joint report

on women and inequalities found widespread exploitation of women at

work especially young women in vulnerable employment. Now that the

barrier of these has been reduced, will you look seriously at the

recommendations of that report and work with other departments to

ensure that women are aware of access to justice? I thank thee

Oliver lady. As I explained earlier, we will take into account all the

findings of the Select Committee. -- I thank the honourable lady.

The IRA murderers suspected of killing Ian Gow have no fear of

arrest with the recent revelation that hundreds if not thousands of

letters are being sent out to veterans of the troubles with a view

to further prosecutions and will he support a policy of a statute of

limitations to put an end to this grotesque inequality of treatment?

The answer is that I did read that letter. The matters he has raised

the results will issue of the Secretary of State for Northern

Ireland. He is very concerned to make sure a proper examination of

the past and a search for the truth about the past does not lead to the

unfair and disproportionate of arraignment of British soldiers who

stood for democracy and human rights. We are well out of time. The

Minister will be aware of the serious disorder at HMP Birmingham

which follows a serious right that took place in December and incidents

at other prisons over the summer. Clearly, our prisons are in crisis.

Isn't it time we had an independent inquiry into the state of our

prisons? We have already said that violence in our prisons is to hide.

I spoke to the commander at HMP Birmingham on Sunday night and the

first thing is to give praise to the professionalism of the prison

service in dealing with a difficult and challenging situation. Of

course, a key part of dealing with the security and stability problem

in our prisons is increasing staffing levels on which there have

been in of questions, and we are doing so. A wider part of that is

dealing with phones and drones and also drugs and is it will take time

to do so. But I praise our prison officers for their brave work.

Urgent question. To