0:00:09 > 0:00:15Hello and welcome. In an hour the shadow culture secretary, Tom
0:00:15 > 0:00:20Watson, will ask an urgent question on the announcement concerning the
0:00:20 > 0:00:25government's review of fixed odds betting terminals. People can bet
0:00:25 > 0:00:28£100 every 20 seconds on electronic casino games. Ministers are
0:00:28 > 0:00:36considering a limit of £2 and £50. The rest of the business will be
0:00:36 > 0:00:43remaining stages of the Finance Bill. This afternoon at 2:30pm the
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Health Secretary will appear before the Commons health committee. You
0:00:46 > 0:00:53can watch that live on our website. Please join me for a round-up of
0:00:53 > 0:00:59both houses of parliament at 11pm this evening but first questions to
0:00:59 > 0:01:01the Justice Secretary and his team of ministers.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10The police have repeatedly underlined the importance of the
0:01:10 > 0:01:16European arrest warrant in fighting crime. If the price of maintaining
0:01:16 > 0:01:21security and continued effective operation of other crime-fighting
0:01:21 > 0:01:25mechanisms is the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice, will
0:01:25 > 0:01:32the Minister put crime-fighting first or let his arbitrary Red Line
0:01:32 > 0:01:37jeopardised security?I thank the honourable member. I am not sure
0:01:37 > 0:01:40making the UK's Supreme Court has the last say on the law of the land
0:01:40 > 0:01:46his own arbitrary Red Line, but the government's has set out our
0:01:46 > 0:01:51relationship or future relationship. We have an ambitious plan for
0:01:51 > 0:01:59security law enforcement and criminal justice. Maintaining strong
0:01:59 > 0:02:04extradition relations is an important part of that agenda.Will
0:02:04 > 0:02:07the Minister take on board the recommendation from the Justice
0:02:07 > 0:02:12committee's report in the last parliament, that underpinning any
0:02:12 > 0:02:17practical means of criminal justice cooperation, including the European
0:02:17 > 0:02:23arrest warrant, is a continuing relationship on maintaining data
0:02:23 > 0:02:26equivalency? Unless the data regulations are equivalent, it will
0:02:26 > 0:02:29not be possible for European agencies to share with us or vice
0:02:29 > 0:02:34versa?I thank the chair of the select committee, that is why we
0:02:34 > 0:02:37have gone through the data protection Bill. We have data
0:02:37 > 0:02:43relations with countries all around the world and I see no reason why we
0:02:43 > 0:02:50wouldn't continue to do so.Given it to countries like Iceland and Norway
0:02:50 > 0:02:5413 years to negotiate extradition arrangements with the EU, does the
0:02:54 > 0:02:59minister accept that not maintaining the European arrest warrant puts
0:02:59 > 0:03:06people in this country at risk of seeing criminals go free and those
0:03:06 > 0:03:12criminals may well include terrorist suspects who go free?No, we're not
0:03:12 > 0:03:18in the position of Iceland, we start with strong and intensive
0:03:18 > 0:03:21cooperation extradition and we will maintain that for many years to
0:03:21 > 0:03:26come.With the Minister agree one of the reasons people voted to leave
0:03:26 > 0:03:33the European Union was to make the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court?My
0:03:33 > 0:03:38right honourable friend is right. Also, let's not forget the advice of
0:03:38 > 0:03:43the former Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas, who made it clear that there
0:03:43 > 0:03:47were problems with the European arrest warrant. What we have done,
0:03:47 > 0:03:54we have legislated for extra safeguards, but no one has suggested
0:03:54 > 0:03:58of dispensing altogether with vital EU extradition except perhaps the
0:03:58 > 0:04:03figment of the Liberal Democrats imagination.Surely the government
0:04:03 > 0:04:07can be clear the government's priority must be continued
0:04:07 > 0:04:11participation in the European arrest warrant ahead of any jurisdiction
0:04:11 > 0:04:19with the Court of justice?Can I gently suggest he read the position
0:04:19 > 0:04:23paper on future partnership that was published in September. It deals
0:04:23 > 0:04:28with the question he just asked, we made it clear we do want to continue
0:04:28 > 0:04:38vital extradition relations with our EU partners.Number two Mr Speaker.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43The United Kingdom has a long tradition to ensure liberties and
0:04:43 > 0:04:46rights are protected domestically and fulfil human rights obligations
0:04:46 > 0:04:50and our decision to leave the European Union does not say this.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54Last week, during evidence to the Brexit committee, the minister said
0:04:54 > 0:05:00it is right we continue to rely on the Human Rights Act and the
0:05:00 > 0:05:12Convention. Is it the government's intention to stay ECHR?Leaving the
0:05:12 > 0:05:19European Union does not affect our membership of the convention.When I
0:05:19 > 0:05:25was on that side of the House, we were assured by ministers that the
0:05:25 > 0:05:28Charter of fundamental right would not apply to the United Kingdom. I
0:05:28 > 0:05:42hope we will be able to deliver that.The EU withdrawal bill ensures
0:05:42 > 0:05:46it underpins the Charter and will still have an effect on UK law after
0:05:46 > 0:05:51we leave the EU. The Charter was created as a collection of the laws
0:05:51 > 0:05:58of the EU had passed and I think it would be wrong if that Charter
0:05:58 > 0:06:01continued to be sited in any future legal case once we have left the
0:06:01 > 0:06:09European Union.Can the Minister assure us that if we leave the
0:06:09 > 0:06:16European Union, that human rights are very much involved the ability
0:06:16 > 0:06:20to put right miscarriages of justice and will he assure me the criminal
0:06:20 > 0:06:27Case review commission will be strengthened rather than weakened?I
0:06:27 > 0:06:32can assure the honourable gentleman the government's intention is to
0:06:32 > 0:06:37confirm that post-leaving the European Union, when we leave the
0:06:37 > 0:06:39European Union, such access to justice is available to British
0:06:39 > 0:06:48citizens.When the United Kingdom leaves the European Union, does the
0:06:48 > 0:06:53Minister, when that happens, does the Minister agree that Council of
0:06:53 > 0:06:59Europe will become an increasing important interlocutor between this
0:06:59 > 0:07:02country and the European Union? Will he reiterate this government's
0:07:02 > 0:07:07commitment to staying in the European Court of Human Rights?I
0:07:07 > 0:07:15thank him for his question. When we leave the European Union, it is
0:07:15 > 0:07:17important Britain maintains a strong role in international affairs in
0:07:17 > 0:07:24terms of its lead on human rights. I remind the House the original
0:07:24 > 0:07:28convention on human rights was written by two Britons.Number
0:07:28 > 0:07:39three, Mr Speaker.Mr Speaker, community sentences has been coming
0:07:39 > 0:07:44down since 2005. 34% of adults given a community order or suspended
0:07:44 > 0:07:49sentence order go on to reoffend. That evidence shows the community
0:07:49 > 0:07:54sentences are more affective of reducing reoffending by short-term
0:07:54 > 0:07:59prison sentences.I thank the Secretary of State for his answer. I
0:07:59 > 0:08:04welcome the figures published on Thursday showing figures coming down
0:08:04 > 0:08:08given community sentences. The third of people on community sentences do
0:08:08 > 0:08:12reoffend. Would he consider the swift and certain programmes in the
0:08:12 > 0:08:20United States that have had considerable effect?I am certainly
0:08:20 > 0:08:25keen to learn from best practice, not just in the United States, but
0:08:25 > 0:08:29in other jurisdictions around the world as well. What was striking
0:08:29 > 0:08:32about some of the figures last week, they showed that offenders who
0:08:32 > 0:08:38underwent drug or alcohol treatment in this country showed a 33%
0:08:38 > 0:08:40reduction in the number of offences they committed the following two
0:08:40 > 0:08:48years. It is a lesson we can learn from.Can I also recommend to the
0:08:48 > 0:08:55Minister my proposal of deferred prosecutions, which also gets to the
0:08:55 > 0:09:00community responses, that can reduce recidivism and recommend those in
0:09:00 > 0:09:06the review the government asked for? I reiterate to the honourable
0:09:06 > 0:09:09gentleman, the government's appreciation for the work he put
0:09:09 > 0:09:16that review. We shall be responding in detail to his recommendations,
0:09:16 > 0:09:21including the one he has just mentioned.Isn't it the case
0:09:21 > 0:09:25according to the Ministry of Justice own figures, there is a direct
0:09:25 > 0:09:29correlation between the length of a prison sentence and the likelihood
0:09:29 > 0:09:32of an offender reoffending. The longer somebody spends in prison,
0:09:32 > 0:09:43the less likelihood they are going to reoffend?What is true is, it is
0:09:43 > 0:09:48the short-term sentences that appear to have the least effect in reduced
0:09:48 > 0:09:54reoffending, but the comparison with them is of alternative community
0:09:54 > 0:10:01sentences, which are available to that similar type of crime and those
0:10:01 > 0:10:06community sentences work best when they link up with services such as
0:10:06 > 0:10:09drug and alcohol treatment programmes, provided sometimes by
0:10:09 > 0:10:16other authorities in the community. I think the whole House will agree
0:10:16 > 0:10:20that community sentences function only when magistrates have trust in
0:10:20 > 0:10:24the people supervising them. Last year there were thousands of
0:10:24 > 0:10:28community sentences served in London so therefore will the Secretary of
0:10:28 > 0:10:32State commit to an urgent independent review of the
0:10:32 > 0:10:35performance of the London company responsible for supervising many of
0:10:35 > 0:10:40these community sentences in London, following revelations in last week's
0:10:40 > 0:10:46panorama investigation that the London CRC had failed to act on
0:10:46 > 0:10:5215,000 missed appointments over 16 months?The company responsible as
0:10:52 > 0:10:58the honourable gentleman knows, has denied some of the claims that were
0:10:58 > 0:11:02made in the panorama programme. Number less, it is quite clear
0:11:02 > 0:11:07missed appointments are a serious matter. We expect the London CRC
0:11:07 > 0:11:15like others, to take appropriate action. I believe in the Independent
0:11:15 > 0:11:18inspectorate of probation, we have precisely the kind of independent
0:11:18 > 0:11:21body the honourable gentleman has called for. They are looking at
0:11:21 > 0:11:28London and we look forward to their next report.I hear the Secretary of
0:11:28 > 0:11:33State's reassurances in relation to the delivery of these community
0:11:33 > 0:11:43sentences from the so-called CRCs. But I would need to know the advice
0:11:43 > 0:11:47Minister has about the failure of those CRCs. Because of this
0:11:47 > 0:11:52documentary, panorama revealed a paper warning of the risks of
0:11:52 > 0:11:56handing much of the supervision of community sentences to the
0:11:56 > 0:12:00privatisation of probation. Will the Secretary of State make this memo
0:12:00 > 0:12:03public so we and this House can assure these flaws are being
0:12:03 > 0:12:09tackled?
0:12:09 > 0:12:13I think the honourable gentleman is referring to a document that was
0:12:13 > 0:12:17produced some years ago. What is important now is addressing the
0:12:17 > 0:12:22underperformance of some areas of the probation service that we act
0:12:22 > 0:12:26upon the recommendations from the Independent probation inspectorate
0:12:26 > 0:12:29and seek through the contractual mechanism to drive up standards to
0:12:29 > 0:12:41where the public would expect them to be.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44We recognise the distinct legal systems across the UK and engage
0:12:44 > 0:12:46with counterparts in the devolved administrations to prepare the
0:12:46 > 0:12:50ground for Brexit in terms of preparing a smooth transition on
0:12:50 > 0:12:54things like civil co-operation but seizing the global opportunities
0:12:54 > 0:13:02which contributed around £25 billion for the UK economy last year. That
0:13:02 > 0:13:07being the case, what actual steps has his department taken to ensure
0:13:07 > 0:13:10the Scottish legal services and the Scottish legal system is protected
0:13:10 > 0:13:17once the UK leads the UK?There is a two part answer to that. Worst of
0:13:17 > 0:13:20all in negotiations with EU partners we are very focused on making sure
0:13:20 > 0:13:24the cooperation we have now continues as best and optimally as
0:13:24 > 0:13:33it did in the future. In relation to the legal position, legal certainty
0:13:33 > 0:13:42will be ensured for citizens across the UK.The Government's legal
0:13:42 > 0:13:50services, it focuses solely on the promotion of the English legal
0:13:50 > 0:13:54system but there is no mention of Scotland and Northern Ireland. You
0:13:54 > 0:13:59see this is rectified later this year?I thank the Honourable
0:13:59 > 0:14:04gentleman. I can tell him we are absolutely committed to promoting
0:14:04 > 0:14:07everyone of the finest exports Scotland has from whiskey through to
0:14:07 > 0:14:16its brilliant lawyers.The Government's EU position papers on
0:14:16 > 0:14:20enforcement and dispute resolution and security law enforcement and
0:14:20 > 0:14:24justice have significant implications for the Scottish legal
0:14:24 > 0:14:28system and for law devolved to the Scottish Parliament. Yet committed a
0:14:28 > 0:14:31dance of their publication, there was no consultation with the
0:14:31 > 0:14:36Scottish Government or the Scottish Law officers. What assurance can you
0:14:36 > 0:14:44give me that this sort of oversight will not happen again?I can say to
0:14:44 > 0:14:48the Honourable Lady, there was considerable dialogue with all of
0:14:48 > 0:14:52the devolved Administration is on the substance underpinning the
0:14:52 > 0:14:59position papers and a negotiating position the UK has been taken.Said
0:14:59 > 0:15:03David Edward, a former judge at the Court of Justice, recently gave
0:15:03 > 0:15:08evidence to the Scottish Parliament about these papers. He said, the UK
0:15:08 > 0:15:11Government has overlooked the significance of the sector of the
0:15:11 > 0:15:15Scottish legal system, the significance of the Scottish
0:15:15 > 0:15:19judicial system and the Scottish prosecution system, particularly in
0:15:19 > 0:15:25relation to justice and home affairs issues such as Europol, the European
0:15:25 > 0:15:29Arrest Warrant, cross-border systems and regulations about regulation and
0:15:29 > 0:15:34enforcement of judgments. Will the minister undertake to meet so that
0:15:34 > 0:15:40these oversights may be rectified?I thank the Honourable Lady does she
0:15:40 > 0:15:44has not pointed to one aspect, one paragraph in the opposition paper
0:15:44 > 0:15:50she thinks we have got wrong. We certainly do accept, recognise and
0:15:50 > 0:15:52embrace the huge contribution to the Scottish legal and justice system
0:15:52 > 0:15:58makes. In relation to going forward, will bear in mind very closely the
0:15:58 > 0:16:11different contours across the whole of the UK.Mr Speaker, the families
0:16:11 > 0:16:17of the resettlement agency that we have covered this is a view shared
0:16:17 > 0:16:20by the probation service and Ofsted at the time to work on these
0:16:20 > 0:16:23relationships is the moment an offender is sent to jail for them to
0:16:23 > 0:16:26leave it longer is to leave it too late for that that is why I welcome
0:16:26 > 0:16:32the excellent review by Lord Farmer to implement all these
0:16:32 > 0:16:36recommendations.Figures from the farmer review show inmates receiving
0:16:36 > 0:16:41regular family visits are 39% less likely to reoffend. What steps are
0:16:41 > 0:16:46the Government taking to enable more family visits to happen in our
0:16:46 > 0:16:58prisons?The honourable member is absolutely right. Reoffending rates
0:16:58 > 0:17:01are amongst people with family contact and not lower than for other
0:17:01 > 0:17:02offenders. We're working to implement all of Lord Farmer's
0:17:02 > 0:17:05reviews over time. I know I shall be meeting with her and a number of
0:17:05 > 0:17:10colleagues to discuss our progress on this later.The reference is of
0:17:10 > 0:17:16prisoner well-being. In Nottingham four prisoners have killed
0:17:16 > 0:17:19themselves and one died of an overdose. Why is this happening and
0:17:19 > 0:17:25what do you plan to do about it?The Honourable member makes an important
0:17:25 > 0:17:28point certainly for a lot of prisoners, whether mental well-being
0:17:28 > 0:17:33or to do with issues of self harm but also violence. Family contact
0:17:33 > 0:17:44can make the difference
0:17:45 > 0:17:47was that there are specific issues relating to HMP Nottingham and I
0:17:47 > 0:17:50will be willing to write to him about those.In South Wales there
0:17:50 > 0:17:55are parents- teacher evenings which take place in the prison so fathers
0:17:55 > 0:18:08can... Will you follow the example set by Park?At Parc prison there is
0:18:08 > 0:18:14good practice dotted around the prison estate. We have our parent
0:18:14 > 0:18:18voice in other prisons. We want to see the good practice spread across
0:18:18 > 0:18:24the entire estate to enable us to devolved budgets to prison governors
0:18:24 > 0:18:28but also hold them to account and we are piloting new family and
0:18:28 > 0:18:33significant relationship performance measures as of next year.Mr
0:18:33 > 0:18:39Speaker, number six.Thank you, Mr Speaker yesterday I laid a written
0:18:39 > 0:18:45ministerial statement before the house setting out the details of
0:18:45 > 0:18:49legal aid relating to punishing offenders act. It discharges the
0:18:49 > 0:18:53promise made by previous ministers to this house. Expect the review to
0:18:53 > 0:19:01complete by the summer of 2018. -- I expect.I thank the Honourable
0:19:01 > 0:19:05Minister for his response on legal aid reforms. It is disappointing
0:19:05 > 0:19:09even though the Government first announced its review nine months ago
0:19:09 > 0:19:13it's not conclude for another nine months. That is nine more months and
0:19:13 > 0:19:17many thousands of people not being able to afford access to the the
0:19:17 > 0:19:24justice system. The Government's forms to legal aid were intended to
0:19:24 > 0:19:29save millions of pounds. Legal aid has fallen by double that. Will the
0:19:29 > 0:19:33minister lobby his colleague, the Chancellor, to ensure some of the
0:19:33 > 0:19:37additional savings go immediately to helping those who have been priced
0:19:37 > 0:19:42out of access to our justice system? I thank the honourable gentleman. I
0:19:42 > 0:19:46thought he might have welcomed the fact that yesterday we laid out the
0:19:46 > 0:19:53terms of the review. I'm not sure he has had a chance to study the post
0:19:53 > 0:19:58legislative memorandum. Last year we spent 1.6 billion on legal aid in
0:19:58 > 0:20:02England and Wales, quarter of the Minister of justice budget.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06International comparisons are more exact. The UK spent more per counter
0:20:06 > 0:20:12than any other Council of Europe member.Mr Speaker, in looking at
0:20:12 > 0:20:19the effect of the reduction of legal aid on access to justice, will the
0:20:19 > 0:20:24minister also comment upon the impact on access to justice of the
0:20:24 > 0:20:28closure of Magistrates' Courts? The closure of Kendall caught the summer
0:20:28 > 0:20:32has removed easy access to justice for hundreds of people, increasing
0:20:32 > 0:20:36pressure on the police, legal professionals and local families.
0:20:36 > 0:20:41What can he do to restore the physical access to justice?I have
0:20:41 > 0:20:48to say to the honourable gentleman, I understand his concern. We have a
0:20:48 > 0:20:54£1 billion court reform programme invested in updating, modernising
0:20:54 > 0:20:58and introducing technology so that as a result, we will actually
0:20:58 > 0:21:02deliver more sensitive justice for victims and witnesses but also a
0:21:02 > 0:21:08better bang for the tax payers back. Wales has seen one of the largest
0:21:08 > 0:21:13drops in legal aid provision, particularly with housing with a
0:21:13 > 0:21:15government's belated reviews be specifically looking at the impact
0:21:15 > 0:21:22of this?I would say, the terms of reference have been set out very
0:21:22 > 0:21:27clearly. The post-legislative memorandum is wide in scope. She
0:21:27 > 0:21:30should feel free to submit any particular point she wants to
0:21:30 > 0:21:35consider. I will not pre-empt or prejudice the scope of the review we
0:21:35 > 0:21:41have undertaken.Has my right honourable friend seen any evidence
0:21:41 > 0:21:48that reduction in legal aid has affected rights in this country? Why
0:21:48 > 0:21:52is the market not working properly? Good many of those issues will be
0:21:52 > 0:21:57examined by the review was if he would like to write me with any
0:21:57 > 0:22:02concerns, I would be happy to look at them.20 months ago the Court of
0:22:02 > 0:22:08Appeal revealed the Government's restrictions of conviction for
0:22:08 > 0:22:11domestic violence to be unlawful. Nine months ago ministers told this
0:22:11 > 0:22:14house that they would make changes that would make it easier for
0:22:14 > 0:22:18victims of domestic violence to access legal aid. Nothing has
0:22:18 > 0:22:23happened. Victims can await another nine months. When will the secondary
0:22:23 > 0:22:27legislation be brought forward?I thank the Honourable lady she is
0:22:27 > 0:22:31right that its survival to make sure legal aid is available to victims of
0:22:31 > 0:22:38domestic violence. It was granted in 12,000 cases last year. We have
0:22:38 > 0:22:42reviewed the evidence and committed to making it easier for victims to
0:22:42 > 0:22:48access legal aid I'll be announcing details shortly.Number seven, Mr
0:22:48 > 0:22:53Speaker.We have already given government 's freedom over prisons
0:22:53 > 0:22:57daily routine at timetabling the staffing and family services and we
0:22:57 > 0:23:00intend to give governors control of areas such as education and training
0:23:00 > 0:23:08provision. As other current contract is, I will be looking at
0:23:08 > 0:23:11opportunities to devolved further powerful but there are 21
0:23:11 > 0:23:13recommendations in the farmer review.Ministers have made a
0:23:13 > 0:23:19commitment for them all. What incentives are being given to prison
0:23:19 > 0:23:24governors to insure that implementation happens on the
0:23:24 > 0:23:27ground?The budgets have already been devolved to governors, which
0:23:27 > 0:23:31enables them to commission family services that are tailored to the
0:23:31 > 0:23:36specific needs of their prisoners. I have seen examples of this myself in
0:23:36 > 0:23:42visiting both HMP Parc and HMP Proms field. Governors will also be
0:23:42 > 0:23:47supported by new family services guidance which will incorporate
0:23:47 > 0:23:53evidence of Lord Farmer's reports they can incorporate this practice.
0:23:53 > 0:24:01It was confirmed that Bedford prison was closed due to understaffing.
0:24:01 > 0:24:06Improvements have been made while the prison has operated at half
0:24:06 > 0:24:08capacity that can the minister in show me the same problems will not
0:24:08 > 0:24:13happen while the prisoners operating at full capacity?I am sure the
0:24:13 > 0:24:22honourable gentleman were welcome the fact we are halfway towards
0:24:22 > 0:24:26reporting the additional 2500 prison officers that my predecessor, the
0:24:26 > 0:24:29right honourable member for South West Norfolk, announced about a year
0:24:29 > 0:24:34ago. If the honourable gentleman has particular concerns about the
0:24:34 > 0:24:37specific prison, I'm sure my honourable friend the prisons
0:24:37 > 0:24:42minister will be happy to discuss this with him.I thank you, Mr
0:24:42 > 0:24:46Speaker. I welcome the commitment to implement in geek Farmer Review in
0:24:46 > 0:24:55full. Importantly about family ties. -- the Pharma. What more can be done
0:24:55 > 0:25:00to ensure this is rolled out across the whole prison estate?One thing
0:25:00 > 0:25:03which has struck me since being imported to this role in government
0:25:03 > 0:25:09is that we need to get better at ensuring that the best, most
0:25:09 > 0:25:15successful practices, in prisons, are disseminated rapidly and widely.
0:25:15 > 0:25:21One means of doing that is to ensure that there is additional support for
0:25:21 > 0:25:26individual prison governors at regional level so they have
0:25:26 > 0:25:29experienced mentors available to them, particularly for new
0:25:29 > 0:25:36governors. I hope that will help to deliver change.Governors cite the
0:25:36 > 0:25:40outsourcing of facilities management, maintenance and repairs
0:25:40 > 0:25:43as undermining their ability to manage important elements within our
0:25:43 > 0:25:48own prisons. Labour announced a review working with prison governors
0:25:48 > 0:25:52to identify those private service contracts that can be brought back
0:25:52 > 0:25:57in-house to save the taxpayer money and also, at the same time, improve
0:25:57 > 0:26:01prison conditions. Will the Government also commit to reviewing
0:26:01 > 0:26:12these contracts?As I said in my answer to my honourable friend, as
0:26:12 > 0:26:16existing contracts expire, we shall be seeking new opportunities to
0:26:16 > 0:26:24devolve powers to governors and two clusters of prisons. They will then,
0:26:24 > 0:26:28in association with the prison service headquarters, have to strike
0:26:28 > 0:26:31a balance between local provisioning of services and the need to secure
0:26:31 > 0:26:42the best value for taxpayers money. Number eight, Mr Speaker.At justice
0:26:42 > 0:26:45questions in April I committed to looking at this further. I remain to
0:26:45 > 0:26:51be convinced this is a matter for the Ministry of Justice.Does the
0:26:51 > 0:26:57minister agree with me to completely unacceptable for a British citizen,
0:26:57 > 0:27:00representing the strikers, to take the issue to the EU petitions
0:27:00 > 0:27:03committee for a judgment to be found in his favour and for his own
0:27:03 > 0:27:13government not to even bother to respond?
0:27:13 > 0:27:16The Ministry of Justice doesn't think it holds any documents
0:27:16 > 0:27:20regarding this case. I would be grateful if the honourable member
0:27:20 > 0:27:23would write to me setting up the issues and I will almost certainly
0:27:23 > 0:27:31to arrange for my officials to have a meeting with them.Drones are a
0:27:31 > 0:27:36threat, but also an opportunity for prisons, where they are a threat we
0:27:36 > 0:27:39are determined to tackle the organised crime groups who use them.
0:27:39 > 0:27:45In terms of the opportunities, the prison service is investing in
0:27:45 > 0:27:55drones to manage large-scale incidents to allow us to respond
0:27:55 > 0:28:04quickly.I think the Minister is seeking to group this question.I
0:28:04 > 0:28:06thank my honourable friend, he will know the technology that moves
0:28:06 > 0:28:13faster. Can he assure me hate champ in my constituency will have access
0:28:13 > 0:28:17to the relevant funds in order to have the technologies in place to
0:28:17 > 0:28:27combat both the use of drones and mobile telephones?Absolutely. It
0:28:27 > 0:28:32would benefit from a 2 million pot which is being used to invest in
0:28:32 > 0:28:37mobile phone detection technology and an additional £3 million being
0:28:37 > 0:28:41invested in a national intelligence team to help tackle serious and
0:28:41 > 0:28:46organised crime and what this'll do, is allow us to do with serious and
0:28:46 > 0:28:49organised crime in our prisons but also our community, as we will be
0:28:49 > 0:28:58working with the Home Office on this project.I thank the Minister for
0:28:58 > 0:29:09that response. On April the PSNI and Prison Service in Northern Ireland
0:29:09 > 0:29:13set up a project to address the problem of mobile phones drugs and
0:29:13 > 0:29:19contraband being brought into prisons. Has he considered a radio
0:29:19 > 0:29:25blocker that would prevent drones entering prison property?
0:29:25 > 0:29:29Absolutely, we do have an intelligence unit dealing with
0:29:29 > 0:29:33organised crime in our prisons in a concerted way. But we are doing that
0:29:33 > 0:29:37alongside investing in anti-drug technology, but also my Bell phone
0:29:37 > 0:29:44detection technology and bringing this together means we can do with
0:29:44 > 0:29:51the threat of drones pose across the prison estate. Also deal with it in
0:29:51 > 0:29:54the community because often the organised crime is in the community
0:29:54 > 0:30:03or people in the prison estate doing this.Approximately 200 kilograms of
0:30:03 > 0:30:08drugs were smuggled into the England and Wales prison estate last day.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12What proportion does the Minister believe smuggled in with the use of
0:30:12 > 0:30:17drones and what support is he giving to the prison in my constituency to
0:30:17 > 0:30:22help deal with this?It is difficult to tell what proportion was brought
0:30:22 > 0:30:26in by drones. Where drones are successful, we know the ones that
0:30:26 > 0:30:32are unsuccessful. We do know drones are a serious and emerging threat
0:30:32 > 0:30:37because of the load they can carry in our prisons. Dealing with drugs
0:30:37 > 0:30:41in prisons is not just about the counter drones strategy, it is about
0:30:41 > 0:30:46looking at the illicit economy imprisons over role, mobile phones
0:30:46 > 0:30:49help facilitate this, but also cracking down on corruption where it
0:30:49 > 0:30:53exists, in looking at the supply chain and looking at law
0:30:53 > 0:30:56enforcement. There is no single way of dealing with this, we have to do
0:30:56 > 0:31:07all this across the board to crack down on it. I have seen a number of
0:31:07 > 0:31:11incidents in my time in prisons, and every incident that happens in any
0:31:11 > 0:31:17prison has its own unique situation. And that is why we always
0:31:17 > 0:31:20investigate incidents in prisons very thoroughly. It is obviously the
0:31:20 > 0:31:24case we held some of the most challenging individuals in our
0:31:24 > 0:31:29society in our prisons, so incidents sometimes do occur. Our job is to
0:31:29 > 0:31:36minimise the risk and manage those incidents when they happen.The
0:31:36 > 0:31:40Chief Inspectorate of prisons has said that staffing levels simply are
0:31:40 > 0:31:45too low for a decent regime to be run. We need prison officers on the
0:31:45 > 0:31:50front line, not filling in for cuts elsewhere. Under this government we
0:31:50 > 0:31:55have lost 6000 prison officers. Will he take some of the responsibility
0:31:55 > 0:32:05for the crises that have taken place in my constituency of Walton?The
0:32:05 > 0:32:09member for Liverpool Walton, I have taken a keen interest in his local
0:32:09 > 0:32:17prison. The staff complement there is as it should be, one of the ten
0:32:17 > 0:32:20Pathfinder prisons where we are implementing a new offender
0:32:20 > 0:32:23management model and I was discussing the staffing level there
0:32:23 > 0:32:28with the chair of the prison officers Association and he
0:32:28 > 0:32:31commended that staffing is at full strength. That doesn't mean there
0:32:31 > 0:32:41isn't more to do, but I'm confident we will achieve that.The chief
0:32:41 > 0:32:47executive of the Prison Service has stated that because of overcrowding,
0:32:47 > 0:32:50the government won't be able to proceed with planned closures,
0:32:50 > 0:32:54throwing the financing of their prison building plan into disarray.
0:32:54 > 0:33:00In light of these concerns, the OJ will be able to build new prisons
0:33:00 > 0:33:06without selling off the old. The model their building plan was based.
0:33:06 > 0:33:10Can the Minister give a guarantee that no new prison places will be
0:33:10 > 0:33:16built from private funds?The honourable member seems to have
0:33:16 > 0:33:23forgotten that we have a duty to House those sentenced by the court.
0:33:23 > 0:33:29The current prison population in England and Wales is 80 6000. We
0:33:29 > 0:33:33have a duty to provide accommodation for them to serve their sentence. We
0:33:33 > 0:33:38still have a commitment to invest £1.3 million in the prison estate to
0:33:38 > 0:33:43create 10,000 additional prison places. That certainly remains the
0:33:43 > 0:33:48case over the course of this Parliament.The Minister will be
0:33:48 > 0:33:52aware one of the main causes of overcrowding in our prisons are the
0:33:52 > 0:33:57very long delays in our criminal justice system and the number of
0:33:57 > 0:34:01prisoners on remand. He will know I have written to him about, of a very
0:34:01 > 0:34:09long delay of somebody on remand, Cordell Austin, who was first
0:34:09 > 0:34:14arrested back in May 2016 under a large joint enterprise case, but was
0:34:14 > 0:34:19acquitted in August this year. He's still in prison, having served
0:34:19 > 0:34:24nearly 18 months in prison. He's not due to get his oral hearing, we were
0:34:24 > 0:34:29told next year, now it is going to be December. Aren't these sorts of
0:34:29 > 0:34:32cases that need attention and shouldn't those hearings be heard
0:34:32 > 0:34:38promptly?Justice has to be swift and where people have to go through
0:34:38 > 0:34:43the justice system, it has to be. Can I correct an assumption in the
0:34:43 > 0:34:45question, the reason why the prison population has increased in England
0:34:45 > 0:34:51and Wales is because we have more people convicted of sex-related
0:34:51 > 0:34:57offences who are serving longer sentences. Given our duty to protect
0:34:57 > 0:35:01the public, it is right that where these people are convicted by the
0:35:01 > 0:35:06courts, they serve their time. She has mentioned a specific case in her
0:35:06 > 0:35:09constituency and what she perceives to be the injustice, but I wouldn't
0:35:09 > 0:35:13generalise from that specific case to say that is why we have
0:35:13 > 0:35:18overcrowding in our prisons. Improving safety and reducing the
0:35:18 > 0:35:24risk of serious incidents, serious harm in youth custody is a priority
0:35:24 > 0:35:30and we are committed to reforming currents custodial provision.Given
0:35:30 > 0:35:35no prison is safe for children and over a third of the children
0:35:35 > 0:35:40imprisoned have diagnosed of mental health conditions, nearly 70% of the
0:35:40 > 0:35:44children sent to prison reoffend within a year of release. Does the
0:35:44 > 0:35:49Minister believe it is time to find an alternative to sending children
0:35:49 > 0:35:57to prison?I recognise the rate of 69% is an acceptable. And that is
0:35:57 > 0:36:04why I am bringing forward secure schools, one in the north-west and
0:36:04 > 0:36:10one in the South East of England. We recognise we have a problem with
0:36:10 > 0:36:15custodial 's, but with regards to mental health, this is an issue. It
0:36:15 > 0:36:20is deep-seated, we are dealing with approximately 1000 individuals at
0:36:20 > 0:36:25any one time been locked up. They can often be deeply damaged and I
0:36:25 > 0:36:31can assure the honourable lady I am cognisant of that.I welcome the
0:36:31 > 0:36:34idea of a secure school in the north-west, it is the right
0:36:34 > 0:36:37direction of travel. Will the Minister give a guarantee to the
0:36:37 > 0:36:41House and to the public that staffing levels will ensure the
0:36:41 > 0:36:46schools are safe, but also become places where we can break any
0:36:46 > 0:36:50reoffending cycle?I thank the honourable gentleman for his
0:36:50 > 0:36:56question. He is aware that in a part of the world he used to represent as
0:36:56 > 0:37:01the mayor is ahead in terms of dealing with individuals in a more
0:37:01 > 0:37:05holistic approach. Staffing is an issue. We have brought forward I
0:37:05 > 0:37:08youth custody officer role that will start in 2018 and we will bring
0:37:08 > 0:37:14forward 80 people to improve the type of care these individuals can
0:37:14 > 0:37:20offer. We are under no illusions about the challenges. Secure
0:37:20 > 0:37:24schools, the guidelines around them in terms of how we procure them and
0:37:24 > 0:37:27their staffing arrangements, is going to be announced in the New
0:37:27 > 0:37:38Year.Number 13, Mr Speaker.We are taking action across government to
0:37:38 > 0:37:42bring about a step change in response to the sexual abuse and
0:37:42 > 0:37:49exploitation of children including the roll-out of examination of
0:37:49 > 0:37:57vulnerable witnesses and that will include victims to continue in the
0:37:57 > 0:38:03autumn.It takes tremendous courage for children to come forward such
0:38:03 > 0:38:07cases and the process of giving evidence is harrowing. They deserve
0:38:07 > 0:38:10justice and when it doesn't happen they are left deeply disillusioned
0:38:10 > 0:38:15with the system. It is something I have seen in my own constituency.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18What further steps can the government make to ensure justice is
0:38:18 > 0:38:21done and can you look at the criminal injuries compensation
0:38:21 > 0:38:27scheme to ensure child abuse victims are treated fairly? I thank my
0:38:27 > 0:38:31honourable friend for his question. It is important that the nature of
0:38:31 > 0:38:41grooming can make abuse difficult to detect, that is why we have
0:38:41 > 0:38:44consulted with experts and charities to produce a new guidance, which has
0:38:44 > 0:38:48been published to ensure every victim gets the compensation to
0:38:48 > 0:38:58which they are entitled.Question number 14.We are working to keep
0:38:58 > 0:39:03our brave prison officers safe by strengthening the front line. We
0:39:03 > 0:39:10have 20,000 individual officers in post. That is an increase of 1290
0:39:10 > 0:39:15since October last year in the highest level since 2013. We are
0:39:15 > 0:39:19giving prison officers the tools they need to do their job, we have
0:39:19 > 0:39:28invested in 5600 body worn cameras to be worn in prison estates.In
0:39:28 > 0:39:32Chelmsford prison the number of attacks against staff rose to 120
0:39:32 > 0:39:37last year, but since then they have recruited more staff and installed
0:39:37 > 0:39:40mobile phone detectors and they are rolling out a new digital
0:39:40 > 0:39:47initiative, which since piloted, attacks on prison officers have more
0:39:47 > 0:39:51than half. Will the Minister join me in welcoming this process to put
0:39:51 > 0:39:59staff safety first.I certainly welcome the progress and I would
0:39:59 > 0:40:04like to visit Chelmsford prison, so I make that offer to the honourable
0:40:04 > 0:40:09member and also say we want to go further. She will be aware we are
0:40:09 > 0:40:13supporting the member for ronde's Private members Bill on emergency
0:40:13 > 0:40:16workers which will increase penalties for assaults on prison
0:40:16 > 0:40:26officers. Number 16 Mr Speaker. We are making good progress in helping
0:40:26 > 0:40:34prisoners progress to eventual release. We have implemented a
0:40:34 > 0:40:41measure such as psychology lead case reviews and we have an additional
0:40:41 > 0:40:47three regimes planning to come online at the end of 2018.I thank
0:40:47 > 0:40:53the Minister his response. The justice committee heard on the 18th
0:40:53 > 0:40:59of October that 760 released prisoners have been recalled in the
0:40:59 > 0:41:03last year, but 60% of those were quickly rereleased. Does the
0:41:03 > 0:41:07Minister agree with the chair of the parole board that the threshold for
0:41:07 > 0:41:11recall is too low and should be reviewed so as to stop the revolving
0:41:11 > 0:41:18door the prisoners who have already long served their minimum tariff?I
0:41:18 > 0:41:22thank the honourable lady for the question. I don't agree the
0:41:22 > 0:41:26threshold is too low. And where a prisoner is recalled, it is not
0:41:26 > 0:41:32because they were found hiding under their mother's bed, it is often
0:41:32 > 0:41:37because there is a clear causal link to the behaviour exhibited at the
0:41:37 > 0:41:42time of the index offence. Margie T is to keep the public safe and where
0:41:42 > 0:41:47there is any signal or any cause for concern, it is right they are called
0:41:47 > 0:41:50into custody. That said, the National Probation Service is
0:41:50 > 0:41:54working on a programme to help prisoners when they are released
0:41:54 > 0:41:59into the community, to help them transition into the community and
0:41:59 > 0:42:02reduce the incidence of recall, in a way that protects the public but
0:42:02 > 0:42:11allows them to rebuild their lives. Number 17.
0:42:11 > 0:42:16We are investing over a billion to bring our courts into the
0:42:16 > 0:42:2121st-century, to deliver swifter and more effective justice.I am
0:42:21 > 0:42:25grateful to the Minister for that response. I wonder if you can Tammy
0:42:25 > 0:42:31what can be done to ensure the court room environment and the wider
0:42:31 > 0:42:35environment helps to put victims and witnesses at ease and support them
0:42:35 > 0:42:39through the process of giving evidence.She is absolutely right
0:42:39 > 0:42:43that we need to reduce the amount of stress and trauma for victims and
0:42:43 > 0:42:48witnesses. We are doing a whole range of things. Firstly, in
0:42:48 > 0:42:51relation to victims and witnesses waiting to give evidence, we are
0:42:51 > 0:43:00having model waiting rooms. In the court room itself we are rolling out
0:43:00 > 0:43:02section 28 pre-recorded cross-examination to crown courts
0:43:02 > 0:43:07nationally for the before that we will extend to victims of sexual
0:43:07 > 0:43:18offences or modern slavery offences. 19, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, we
0:43:18 > 0:43:25changed GLC contracts to better reflect costs CRC 's work and
0:43:25 > 0:43:31caring. Payments are still below original forecasts.I am grateful
0:43:31 > 0:43:34for that answer. Could the Secretary of State, Lord Chancellor, publish
0:43:34 > 0:43:41how much additional resource in total he has given to the CRC
0:43:41 > 0:43:44companies, which received the additional resource, and what he
0:43:44 > 0:43:50intends them to do with the product they have been given?The answer to
0:43:50 > 0:43:55the last question is, we expect them to use that money to improve on the
0:43:55 > 0:44:08delivery of services and to match the best CRCs. We did not award the
0:44:08 > 0:44:13CRCs a specific sound you did was agree to alter contracts in such a
0:44:13 > 0:44:21way we accepted a greater proportion of their costs as fixed. The figure
0:44:21 > 0:44:25of 277 million which is in public circulation is an estimate of how
0:44:25 > 0:44:29that adjustment might increase the total contract value. But that is
0:44:29 > 0:44:35based on certain assumptions about volumes of payment by results. I
0:44:35 > 0:44:39reiterate the payments will certainly still be within the
0:44:39 > 0:44:44forecast budget.We are deeply obliged to the Secretary of State.
0:44:44 > 0:44:51Stephen Morgan. Not here. Where are these fellows? All is not ill with
0:44:51 > 0:44:56the well because the honourable member for Banbury is here.Victoria
0:44:56 > 0:45:02Prentice.Number 23, please. Mr Speaker, we outlined our plans to
0:45:02 > 0:45:05reform youth justice in response to Charlie Taylor's view last December
0:45:05 > 0:45:10for that we have created a new youth custody service responsible for the
0:45:10 > 0:45:15day-to-day running of the youth state and committed millions of
0:45:15 > 0:45:19pounds to its reform.We heard this Wanyama just a select committee that
0:45:19 > 0:45:23a third of people on jobseeker's allowance have criminal records. --
0:45:23 > 0:45:35this morning at a select committee. We are starting to set an example
0:45:35 > 0:45:40with the Ministry of Justice banning the box and treating ex-offenders on
0:45:40 > 0:45:45a par with any other applicant for a job. That is widely known throughout
0:45:45 > 0:45:48the public service and we look to the private sector to match this
0:45:48 > 0:45:53because we believe ex-offenders can contribute a great deal to the
0:45:53 > 0:45:58successful work of private sector companies. Topical questions...
0:45:58 > 0:46:04Topical question number one.Mr Speaker, since the last justice
0:46:04 > 0:46:07questions can it has been my pleasure to welcome the appointment
0:46:07 > 0:46:14of Lord Burnett as Chief Justice of England and Wales and the historic
0:46:14 > 0:46:18appointment of Baroness Hale to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom.
0:46:18 > 0:46:22Where she leads, we hope that many others will follow. I look forward
0:46:22 > 0:46:26to working with them both to ensure the digit Shri's essential role at
0:46:26 > 0:46:34the heart of our nation continues to be championed and respected. In
0:46:34 > 0:46:37addition to the comments made by by honourable friend a few moments ago
0:46:37 > 0:46:43about new guidance for the compensation authority, I can tell
0:46:43 > 0:46:48the house I have asked my department to give full consideration to wider
0:46:48 > 0:46:51concerns that have been expressed about the rules of that compensation
0:46:51 > 0:46:57scheme as part of my department's work to develop a strategy for
0:46:57 > 0:47:01victims and in light of recommendations we expect next year
0:47:01 > 0:47:05about an Independent enquiry into child abuse.After last week's
0:47:05 > 0:47:10panorama about failings of privatisation of probation, will be
0:47:10 > 0:47:19Mr Holt any plans to limit night-time supervision?What we will
0:47:19 > 0:47:26look to do is make sure we get the best value for money for taxpayers.
0:47:26 > 0:47:31What is happening in probation hostels is hiring people to cover
0:47:31 > 0:47:36some night-time shifts. We must bear in mind early for the tax payer but
0:47:36 > 0:47:42also protecting the public.As my honourable friend is aware, Kirkland
0:47:42 > 0:47:46prison in my constituency is a category D prison which helps
0:47:46 > 0:47:51prisoners transition to life outside. What measures have been
0:47:51 > 0:47:57taken to help rehabilitate offenders and improved ways of operating?
0:47:57 > 0:48:01Empowering governors, giving them control of the budget, holding them
0:48:01 > 0:48:03accountable for training and education outcomes is what we are
0:48:03 > 0:48:09doing across the estate, including four prisons like Kirk, in order for
0:48:09 > 0:48:16them to deliver rehabilitation. Thank you. The family courts are
0:48:16 > 0:48:21full of people representing themselves. The new president of the
0:48:21 > 0:48:29Supreme Court, Lady Justice Hale, described the 's legal aid reform as
0:48:29 > 0:48:34false economy. Will this not reduce the number of cases coming to court
0:48:34 > 0:48:38as well as court time? Can you guarantee the review will include
0:48:38 > 0:48:43analysis of the cost on the rest of the legal aid system because of the
0:48:43 > 0:48:48Government's on this and of early legal aid?I thank the honourable
0:48:48 > 0:48:52lady for her intervention. In relation to the family courts, it is
0:48:52 > 0:48:57right that the need to try to reduce the number of cases getting into the
0:48:57 > 0:48:59courts in the first place, tickly given the witnesses and those
0:48:59 > 0:49:07involved are often traumatised Mork by the process of going to court. --
0:49:07 > 0:49:11traumatised more. There is wide scope for the issues she mentioned
0:49:11 > 0:49:15be taken into account. I will not pre-empt or prejudice what that will
0:49:15 > 0:49:22look like right now. The exceptionally high cost to
0:49:22 > 0:49:25businesses of commercial litigation is good for commercial lawyers.
0:49:25 > 0:49:29Perhaps I should declare an interest. It is not good for
0:49:29 > 0:49:34businesses large and small full one answer to that which has developed
0:49:34 > 0:49:37recently is commercial litigation financing. Will the Lord Chancellor
0:49:37 > 0:49:44can to ethical and other concerns around that, as by Lord souks
0:49:44 > 0:49:49recently?We will be happy to look into that and take account of any
0:49:49 > 0:49:52representations my honourable friend wishes to make.Why is the
0:49:52 > 0:49:55Government planning to give security companies and bailiffs power of
0:49:55 > 0:50:01arrest which will be the result of privatising the collection of court
0:50:01 > 0:50:05fees? 15,000 people have signed a petition opposing these plans
0:50:05 > 0:50:10because they do not agree that 15,000 jobs or the safety of
0:50:10 > 0:50:15vulnerable people should be put at risk.These are not in fact new
0:50:15 > 0:50:19powers. They have been in use for many years across the country. They
0:50:19 > 0:50:23applied to arrests relating to debt and community penalty breaches and
0:50:23 > 0:50:27must follow the issue of a warrant of arrest from the criminal courts.
0:50:27 > 0:50:32Any use of these powers is overseen by Her Majesty's and tribunal
0:50:32 > 0:50:39services.Following the triumph of the Conservative manifesto at the
0:50:39 > 0:50:43election, can I congratulate the Lord Chancellor on finding another
0:50:43 > 0:50:49half baked and unpopular policy to put before the electorate? That
0:50:49 > 0:50:53giving prisoners vote. Could he acknowledge that no one is taking a
0:50:53 > 0:50:57vote away from prisoners, they are taken away from themselves? If
0:50:57 > 0:51:00voting is so important bags they would not have committed crimes in
0:51:00 > 0:51:07the first place led to them being sent to prison. I urge him to reject
0:51:07 > 0:51:11this ridiculous policy which goes down like a lead balloon to the
0:51:11 > 0:51:15electorate.Mr Speaker, the Government is preparing its position
0:51:15 > 0:51:18ahead of the December meeting of the committed ministers of the council
0:51:18 > 0:51:23of Europe. Any changes to our position we will announce to
0:51:23 > 0:51:29Parliament in the usual way.Thank you, Mr Speaker. Can the minister
0:51:29 > 0:51:34please tell me what steps his department is taking to insure the
0:51:34 > 0:51:37funding of youth justice services in places like Warwickshire which has
0:51:37 > 0:51:44seen significant cuts in their funding?We spend over £200 million
0:51:44 > 0:51:49a year on youth justice. As I outlined earlier, we spent 64
0:51:49 > 0:51:53million additional funds on the custodial estate. We are conscious
0:51:53 > 0:51:57of the difficulties within the customer deal estate. It is also
0:51:57 > 0:52:01within the community, which is why have commissioned a report on the
0:52:01 > 0:52:04value of sport to criminal justice, particularly for young people. This
0:52:04 > 0:52:11will be published in the New Year. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Tomorrow sees
0:52:11 > 0:52:18the release of Mubarak Ali, a serial child exploitation offender in
0:52:18 > 0:52:22Telford. Please can the minister confirm all that should be done has
0:52:22 > 0:52:28been done to protect the public and the victims concerned?To the best
0:52:28 > 0:52:32of my knowledge that has been done. Of course, Mr Ali is being released
0:52:32 > 0:52:38in accordance with the law, having served the term that was set out by
0:52:38 > 0:52:43the judge in his case for the purposes of punishment and
0:52:43 > 0:52:47deterrence. Can I say to my honourable friend is she and her
0:52:47 > 0:52:51constituents have any concerns about the circumstances of the release and
0:52:51 > 0:52:55supervision arrangements that should follow, I should ask her to bring
0:52:55 > 0:53:01them to the attention of myself without delay.Thank you. 61% of
0:53:01 > 0:53:05women who leave prison on a sentence of less than 12 months recommit
0:53:05 > 0:53:09within the first year. My recent Westminster Hall debate, the
0:53:09 > 0:53:12minister made various committees around new interventions and various
0:53:12 > 0:53:18reviews to support women leading and in prison. Could you make is they
0:53:18 > 0:53:23bent on when this will be complete and when there will be a better and
0:53:23 > 0:53:28fuller programme to support women in prison?The debate was a very good
0:53:28 > 0:53:34debate and well attended was appears aware I have committed to creating a
0:53:34 > 0:53:41women's strategy. When this is in place it will be published. It will
0:53:41 > 0:53:44be about how we can do more in the community so we can prevent knocking
0:53:44 > 0:53:54up women.Can I invite the minister to join me in saying to our
0:53:54 > 0:53:59honourable friend that most people imprisoned never voted? When they
0:53:59 > 0:54:03come out they are unlikely to vote. By making it compulsory they are
0:54:03 > 0:54:08more likely to think about other people and not just themselves.I
0:54:08 > 0:54:11think we hope that all prisoners, when they come to be released from
0:54:11 > 0:54:17prison, will be fully integrated in society and lead a law-abiding life
0:54:17 > 0:54:21and a life of constructive citizenship. As I said a few moments
0:54:21 > 0:54:26ago, the Government will make clear its approach to a forthcoming
0:54:26 > 0:54:30committee of ministers meeting in an announcement to Parliament in the
0:54:30 > 0:54:41usual fashion.Thank you, Mr Speaker. 54,000 women lose jobs each
0:54:41 > 0:54:43year due to pregnancy and maternity discrimination. The Secretary of
0:54:43 > 0:54:45State might remember the chaos of the early weeks caring for a
0:54:45 > 0:54:47newborn. The time limit for bringing an employment tribunal claim is
0:54:47 > 0:54:51three months will he look at the issue as recommended by the Justice
0:54:51 > 0:54:56select Mitty and the equality and rights commission and extend the
0:54:56 > 0:55:01time limit for claims relating to discrimination?I thank the
0:55:01 > 0:55:06honourable lady. It is an important and sensitive area. I have spoken to
0:55:06 > 0:55:09the honourable lady, the chair of the select committee. Can she send
0:55:09 > 0:55:13the evidence which would show that putting it back to six months rather
0:55:13 > 0:55:18than three months would make a difference? Some of the same
0:55:18 > 0:55:26considerations would also apply to six months.What a rich vein!Mr
0:55:26 > 0:55:32Dominic Grieve. Thank you, Mr Speaker. May I welcomed the news
0:55:32 > 0:55:38that the Government is considering again prisoners rights to vote. I
0:55:38 > 0:55:42think my right honourable friend may find that this is a matter where, in
0:55:42 > 0:55:47fact, public opinion has shifted and the mood in this House has shifted
0:55:47 > 0:55:51very much as well. It is high time we remedied something which places
0:55:51 > 0:55:55us in a very small category of countries. Most countries manage to
0:55:55 > 0:56:00allow prisoners to vote, or certainly those centres to short
0:56:00 > 0:56:04sentences of imprisonment without the world coming to an end for that
0:56:04 > 0:56:09it is an important tool in civic participation and rehabilitation.My
0:56:09 > 0:56:15honourable friend expresses a review I know he has held for a long time
0:56:15 > 0:56:20and be very clear about. I am sure he will be following this debate
0:56:20 > 0:56:24closely when the Government has come to its view on our approach to the
0:56:24 > 0:56:31meeting we will share that with Parliament.The Government has new
0:56:31 > 0:56:36proposals to limit legal costs and damages recovered in clinical
0:56:36 > 0:56:42negligence cases. Patient groups are extremely concerned this will mean
0:56:42 > 0:56:46serious cases involving older people, child death and stillbirth
0:56:46 > 0:56:50will be impossible to pursue. Will the minister agreed to meet with me
0:56:50 > 0:56:57and these groups to hear their concerns and sort the proposals out?
0:56:57 > 0:57:01I think that the matter which the honourable lady has mentioned,
0:57:01 > 0:57:06serious and sensitive as it undoubtedly is, does fall in large
0:57:06 > 0:57:11part to the Department of Health. I will be happy for either myself or
0:57:11 > 0:57:14the Minister of State to discuss this further with her.
0:57:14 > 0:57:22Following my ten minute rule Bill in March including robust enforcement
0:57:22 > 0:57:30of child arrangement orders, opening up the family courts and updating
0:57:30 > 0:57:37divorce laws, what progress has the government made?Can I thank the
0:57:37 > 0:57:41honourable lady for her proposals and thought she has put into it. In
0:57:41 > 0:57:49relations since 2011, there are issues we are working through with
0:57:49 > 0:57:52the Department for Education. In relation to private law we are
0:57:52 > 0:57:58committed to facilitating this settling more family disputes to
0:57:58 > 0:58:01avoid victims of having to go through the trauma of court
0:58:01 > 0:58:10proceedings.Following our meeting with the Minister, last week I
0:58:10 > 0:58:14received a letter from the court Minister saying Sunderland's court
0:58:14 > 0:58:18buildings were below what is expected. The court is over 100
0:58:18 > 0:58:22years old, damp with poor access ability and is inadequate for
0:58:22 > 0:58:26victims and staff alike. Will the Minister visit Sunderland, together
0:58:26 > 0:58:32with the honourable member for Sunderland Central and explain to
0:58:32 > 0:58:37the people of Sunderland why they don't deserve better from his
0:58:37 > 0:58:40government.I welcome the opportunity to sit down with her and
0:58:40 > 0:58:44the other honourable lady to look at the issue. We are going to make sure
0:58:44 > 0:58:50the refurbishment is done as soon as is practical. What we want to make
0:58:50 > 0:58:54sure is a long-term, for her constituency and across the country,
0:58:54 > 0:58:57we have the courts in the right places with the right technology and
0:58:57 > 0:59:04refurbishment to make sure they get the best access for justice.The
0:59:04 > 0:59:08reputation of our legal system depends on our respect for our
0:59:08 > 0:59:11international obligations. And therefore, considering the response
0:59:11 > 0:59:16in advance of the committee of ministers, will my right honourable
0:59:16 > 0:59:20friend, bear in mind that respecting the judgments of the European Court
0:59:20 > 0:59:26of Justice is a better guy for this country's reputation than the
0:59:26 > 0:59:34amateur is prudence from the dog and duck?Mr Speaker, the rule of law is
0:59:34 > 0:59:39something that is at the heart of this country's constitutional
0:59:39 > 0:59:44conditions. It is expressed in the oath that I and every Lord
0:59:44 > 0:59:47Chancellor has to take. And my honourable friend will also recall
0:59:47 > 0:59:56that the manifesto on which he, I and other colleagues stood for a
0:59:56 > 1:00:01while, remain party to the European Court of Human Rights for the
1:00:01 > 1:00:06remainder of this Parliament.The recently published commission report
1:00:06 > 1:00:10has highlighted a number of serious issues relating to access to
1:00:10 > 1:00:15justice, including representation at inquests. In light of tragic events
1:00:15 > 1:00:19such as Grenfell Tower and Hillsborough, can the Minister
1:00:19 > 1:00:22commit to providing legal aid is an inquest in all cases when the state
1:00:22 > 1:00:27is funding one or more of the other parties?Can I thank the honourable
1:00:27 > 1:00:32lady for her question on this salient point. Legal aid remains
1:00:32 > 1:00:37available through the exceptional case funding scheme. And while those
1:00:37 > 1:00:42decisions are decided independently, I can reassure her that over half of
1:00:42 > 1:00:49the applications in inquest cases where in deed granted.Full-bodied
1:00:49 > 1:00:54drug scanners to detect drugs concealed within the person are
1:00:54 > 1:00:57successfully used across America. The Ministry of Justice trialed one,
1:00:57 > 1:01:00has there been an evaluation, will we see more and could they be used
1:01:00 > 1:01:08on a mobile basis?As my right honourable friend the Secretary of
1:01:08 > 1:01:11State Stead, one of these was trialed in Wandsworth prison. We are
1:01:11 > 1:01:16looking at doing it across the entire state. There has been an
1:01:16 > 1:01:19evaluation but full body scanners are not the only way to combat drugs
1:01:19 > 1:01:23getting into prisons. Using intelligence, going after organised
1:01:23 > 1:01:26crime and working with law enforcement also ways to deal with
1:01:26 > 1:01:30this. We will use every measure possible to make sure we stop the
1:01:30 > 1:01:36flow of the academic of drugs in our prisons.The Minister will be aware
1:01:36 > 1:01:41there is a covenant on the land on the industrial park in my
1:01:41 > 1:01:44constituency where he wants to build a prison. It states the land should
1:01:44 > 1:01:48not be used other than as an industrial park and should not be
1:01:48 > 1:01:53used for any offensive noisy, dangerously or trade business,
1:01:53 > 1:01:56manufacture or occupation for any purpose or any manner that may be a
1:01:56 > 1:02:00new city to the agency of the occupiers of neighbouring or
1:02:00 > 1:02:03adjacent premises. Will the Minister agree the covenant is the final nail
1:02:03 > 1:02:08in the coffin of the Ministry's plan to build a prison on this industrial
1:02:08 > 1:02:14park?The honourable member is incredibly persistent in fighting
1:02:14 > 1:02:19for his constituents. Of course, before moving ahead with any
1:02:19 > 1:02:24building projects, we will do all the necessary legal searches and
1:02:24 > 1:02:28local authority searches. If those were to turn up any objections, we
1:02:28 > 1:02:33would take those into account accordingly.With the prison
1:02:33 > 1:02:37population of over 80,000, prisons are bursting at the seams. Yet,
1:02:37 > 1:02:41according to the Ministry of Justice own figures, last year we
1:02:41 > 1:02:46transferred a pathetic 110 foreign national prisoners to prison in
1:02:46 > 1:02:50their own prison and this ear, the number is 56. Surely, we can do
1:02:50 > 1:02:56better than that?I think the honourable member is referring to
1:02:56 > 1:02:59the numbers transferred under the prisoner transfer agreement. In
1:02:59 > 1:03:03terms of the number of prisoners deported from this country overall,
1:03:03 > 1:03:09last year was a record high. We continue to work consistently with
1:03:09 > 1:03:13foreign governments. There is an interministerial group linking
1:03:13 > 1:03:16differed, the Foreign Office, the Ministry of Justice but also the
1:03:16 > 1:03:21Home Office, to make sure we iron out the issues that can be
1:03:21 > 1:03:23impediment to transferring prisoners to serve their sentence abroad. I
1:03:23 > 1:03:25would