0:00:19 > 0:00:22Welcome to live coverage of the House of Commons. Peter Grant has
0:00:22 > 0:00:27table done a depression on the government get an decision not to
0:00:27 > 0:00:30challenge a ruling from the High Court that changes to personal
0:00:30 > 0:00:33independence payments for people with mental health conditions could
0:00:33 > 0:00:38not be justified. Then the new digital, culture, media and sport
0:00:38 > 0:00:49Secretary, Mike Hancock will update the House on Fox's takeover of sky.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53It would give the Murdoch family too much control over news organisations
0:00:53 > 0:00:58in the UK. The main business will be the remaining stages of the nuclear
0:00:58 > 0:01:04safeguards built. It establishes a safeguards regime as the UK believes
0:01:04 > 0:01:10the European atomic energy committee. MPs will debate
0:01:10 > 0:01:17amendments to the telecommunications restructure bill. Dujon me had 11
0:01:17 > 0:01:26Koto for a round-up but first questions to the Justice Secretary.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30The Secretary of State for Justice.
0:01:32 > 0:01:37With your promotion, I'd like to read questions one, four and 13. The
0:01:37 > 0:01:41government has made it a priority to ensure there is a smooth legal
0:01:41 > 0:01:46transition in our negotiations with the EU or our domestic implementing
0:01:46 > 0:01:50legislation. Scotland and Northern Ireland have distinct legal systems
0:01:50 > 0:01:54and my department has been working closely with the devolved
0:01:54 > 0:01:59administrations, looking at the ways that are legal in justice system are
0:01:59 > 0:02:02affected by the EU exit. The government declared a good deal for
0:02:02 > 0:02:06the EU is one that works for all parts of
0:02:09 > 0:02:17I welcome the Secretary of State's position. The UK Government have
0:02:17 > 0:02:25been dismissed as unsatisfactory due to the lack of realism and detail.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29How does the Secretary of State in ten to respond to that by producing
0:02:29 > 0:02:33more realistic and detailed proposals.But a volcanic than the
0:02:33 > 0:02:37honourable gentleman for his words and is pleasing to know wherever I
0:02:37 > 0:02:42go, he seems to follow me around. In terms of his question, we are
0:02:42 > 0:02:48ambitious in this area and we want to get the best deal. I appreciate
0:02:48 > 0:02:54the course of negotiations, our interlocutors might express an
0:02:54 > 0:02:59adverse opinion but we will continue to engage and continue to be
0:02:59 > 0:03:09ambitious.Scotland's distinct and independent legal system, and
0:03:09 > 0:03:13Scotland there is direct cooperation between Scottish law enforcement
0:03:13 > 0:03:16agencies and their European counterparts. Can the Minister
0:03:16 > 0:03:19detail what consultation his department are having with the
0:03:19 > 0:03:24Scottish Government and Scottish law officers in this regard?We continue
0:03:24 > 0:03:30to engage with the Scottish Government across-the-board,
0:03:30 > 0:03:37including this particular implementation matter.I wonder if
0:03:37 > 0:03:42the Minister could update the House on plans for foreign criminals in UK
0:03:42 > 0:03:49prisons and if we can send these people back to their country of
0:03:49 > 0:03:54origin rather than the taxpayer footing the bill? Since 2010 we have
0:03:54 > 0:03:59removed more than 40,000 for a National offenders from our prisons.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03Immigration removal centres and the community, a range of removal
0:04:03 > 0:04:07mechanisms exist which are unable for offenders to return to their
0:04:07 > 0:04:11home countries. The government is now considering future criminal
0:04:11 > 0:04:13justice arrangements with the European Union with him carrying on
0:04:13 > 0:04:19our close working relationships.The Secretary of State will be aware
0:04:19 > 0:04:23that in relation to family law, mutual and reciprocal arrangements
0:04:23 > 0:04:26exist between the EU countries to ensure their judgments are
0:04:26 > 0:04:32recognised. Can he say how after the exit from the European Union, he
0:04:32 > 0:04:35envisages how the interests of children are protected when we
0:04:35 > 0:04:38cannot rely on the mutual arrangements?
0:04:41 > 0:04:45What I would say is that she raises a good point and it's important that
0:04:45 > 0:04:49we do have satisfactory arrangements with the European Union in this and
0:04:49 > 0:04:54indeed other matters. It is right that we seek to be ambitious so that
0:04:54 > 0:04:59the interests of children are put at the heart of what we do here.May I
0:04:59 > 0:05:05welcome my right honourable friend's posting and delighted to see a
0:05:05 > 0:05:09lawyer and I hope he has a lengthy tenure, if not quite as long as the
0:05:09 > 0:05:16last boy from Ipswich and a better ending as well. A lot of the debate
0:05:16 > 0:05:21has concentrated around criminal justice cooperation matters. In his
0:05:21 > 0:05:24speech once warning, the Lord Chancellor referred to the importers
0:05:24 > 0:05:27of the UK as a jurisdiction of choice in civil and commercial
0:05:27 > 0:05:32litigation. Will he make sure that aspect is not lost on our
0:05:32 > 0:05:37negotiations, in particular the importance for the UK's financial
0:05:37 > 0:05:43service sector.Can I thank my honourable friend given that the
0:05:43 > 0:05:50last Lord Chancellor was Cardinal Wolsey, given that he ran into some
0:05:50 > 0:05:56difficulties with negotiations with the powerful European supranational
0:05:56 > 0:06:03body, I should tread carefully here. I think it is important that in
0:06:03 > 0:06:07terms of our negotiations we try to provide that legal certainty as best
0:06:07 > 0:06:10as we can.
0:06:11 > 0:06:16May I welcome the new Secretary of State for Justice to his place. On
0:06:16 > 0:06:21the issue of the Scottish legal system, Sir David Edward, our
0:06:21 > 0:06:23distinguished former judge both in Scotland and that the courts of
0:06:23 > 0:06:28justice, he said that so far, the unity government has overlooked the
0:06:28 > 0:06:32significance of the separate Scottish legal system, the Scottish
0:06:32 > 0:06:37judicial system and the Scottish prosecution system in relation to
0:06:37 > 0:06:40justice and home affairs issues in the negotiations with the EU. Will
0:06:40 > 0:06:45the new Secretary of State undertake to meet with me so we can discuss
0:06:45 > 0:06:50and these oversights might be rectified in future?I'm not sure I
0:06:50 > 0:06:58would accept her characterisation of the position as one of oversight and
0:06:58 > 0:07:03I would make it clear in the very first answer I gave in this role in
0:07:03 > 0:07:06these questions, I stated I fully appreciate that Scotland has a
0:07:06 > 0:07:11distinct legal system but I would be delighted to discuss this matter
0:07:11 > 0:07:16with her further.I'm grateful to the Secretary of State for agreeing
0:07:16 > 0:07:20to meet with me but this is not my characterisation, is the
0:07:20 > 0:07:24characterisation of a senior judge, both of the Scottish courts and the
0:07:24 > 0:07:29Court of Justice and he went on to describe the UK Government's paper
0:07:29 > 0:07:33on enforcement and dispute resolution as, and I caught, an
0:07:33 > 0:07:38undergraduate essay which would have failed. He says those writing these
0:07:38 > 0:07:42papers are not aware of the problems posed the separate source Scottish
0:07:42 > 0:07:46legal system and don't want to hear from the experts who have offered to
0:07:46 > 0:07:51help. This is a serious problem. Will the Secretary of State, in his
0:07:51 > 0:07:54new role, Undertaker listen to those who know about the Scottish legal
0:07:54 > 0:08:00system and to take on board their concerns in his negotiations on this
0:08:00 > 0:08:05matter?I want to ensure that we end up with a position that's good for
0:08:05 > 0:08:09the legal system, good for legal services in every part of the United
0:08:09 > 0:08:14Kingdom, that set includes Scotland and I will want to engage with
0:08:14 > 0:08:17representations and representatives from all parts of the United Kingdom
0:08:17 > 0:08:22to ensure we get the best possible deal.Can we do what we cannot do
0:08:22 > 0:08:27now? If an EU National is found guilty of an imprisonable offence,
0:08:27 > 0:08:30they are deported to serve that sentence in prison their own country
0:08:30 > 0:08:40and banned from ever returning?As I said to our honourable friend, the
0:08:40 > 0:08:42member for Mansfield, we are considering future criminal justice
0:08:42 > 0:08:46arrangements with the European Union, we do want close working
0:08:46 > 0:08:51relationships with them but we also need to work together to ensure that
0:08:51 > 0:09:04foreign national offenders can be removed when possible.I will begin
0:09:04 > 0:09:07by paying tribute to my honourable friend for the work that he has done
0:09:07 > 0:09:12on the Homelessness Reduction Act. With the agreement of colleagues
0:09:12 > 0:09:16from the housing communities and local government, it should come
0:09:16 > 0:09:21into operation in April. It is absolutely vital that every prisoner
0:09:21 > 0:09:24leaving custody as a home to go to.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29I think my honourable friend and welcomed into his new position as he
0:09:29 > 0:09:34quite rightly says, it is in our best interests that former offenders
0:09:34 > 0:09:39leaving prison do not reoffend and one of the key issues is to ensure
0:09:39 > 0:09:42that present governors on other commitments under the Homelessness
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Reduction Act to make sure people are prepared for life outside
0:09:45 > 0:09:51prison. What action will you take to make sure that prison governors
0:09:51 > 0:09:53train offenders that are due to leave prison so they do not
0:09:53 > 0:10:00reoffend.There are two key things to do. One is to empower the
0:10:00 > 0:10:04governors to give them the real flexibility and control over their
0:10:04 > 0:10:08education budgets and the career advice but also, as the honourable
0:10:08 > 0:10:12member suggested, connect back to housing. That's an obligation under
0:10:12 > 0:10:15the anguish my honourable friend has championed and getting that
0:10:15 > 0:10:24coordination will be essential.Why has the number of women homeless on
0:10:24 > 0:10:29release doubled in only a year? Is this more evidence of the government
0:10:29 > 0:10:37failing prisoners and probation policies?There are a number of
0:10:37 > 0:10:43very, those issues ahead of us but we agree this is unacceptable and
0:10:43 > 0:10:48shocking and we have to work much more closely with the Ministry of
0:10:48 > 0:10:51Housing and local authorities and the prisoners to ensure we cut these
0:10:51 > 0:10:53numbers.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01The provision of legal aid to support the most vulnerable is a
0:11:01 > 0:11:06very important part of our justice system. We spent £1.6 billion a year
0:11:06 > 0:11:12on legal aid, which is over a fifth of the Ministry of Justice's budget.
0:11:12 > 0:11:17In terms of accessing legal aid, an online tool to help people check
0:11:17 > 0:11:22their entitlement to legal aid.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28I welcome that answer but people in West Cornwall in my constituency
0:11:28 > 0:11:35find it hard to access the legal aid they are entitled to. There is just
0:11:35 > 0:11:38one office that holds a legal aid contract and the only deal with
0:11:38 > 0:11:44family law. Will the Department accept changes in legal aid funding
0:11:44 > 0:11:52to local people and consider message measures to fix this. The legal aid
0:11:52 > 0:11:56agency regularly refuse the capacity of legal aid to cope with the demand
0:11:56 > 0:12:00for legal aid and it takes action for a regional shortfalls develop.
0:12:00 > 0:12:05Those in need of urgent advice in Cornwall and elsewhere can use this
0:12:05 > 0:12:09civil legal aid specialist telephone service.In autumn 2017, the legal
0:12:09 > 0:12:15aid agency began a new tendering service nationally for new civil
0:12:15 > 0:12:22contracts to start in autumn 2018. In my constituency, I receive
0:12:22 > 0:12:25hundreds of the Muslim people facing eviction living in overcrowded
0:12:25 > 0:12:29conditions are renting properties that are in dire need of repair.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32Does the Minister agree that early legal advice and housing matters
0:12:32 > 0:12:36needs to be urgently restored and it is unacceptable that large parts of
0:12:36 > 0:12:42the country have no housing legal aid providers at all.There is a
0:12:42 > 0:12:48review in relation to legal aid, which the previous Lord Chancellor
0:12:48 > 0:12:51committed to later on this year, which I also commit to reviewing
0:12:51 > 0:12:58later on this year.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02Cheers by legally the housing is always available through a telephone
0:13:02 > 0:13:07in Gateway. That can always be accessed.Judicial reviews are key
0:13:07 > 0:13:10tools for ordinary people to challenge an unjust and unlawful
0:13:10 > 0:13:16division by the state and other public bodies. Deep cuts for legal
0:13:16 > 0:13:27aid have undermined his ability.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31As I have already mentioned, there is a review in relation to legal
0:13:31 > 0:13:36aid, which is taking place later on this year. As a matter of principle,
0:13:36 > 0:13:43legal aid is available for judicial review in certain circumstances, and
0:13:43 > 0:13:53when certain conditions are met.The findings in the recent inspection,
0:13:53 > 0:13:57repeated that the Security centre conditions are completely
0:13:57 > 0:14:02unacceptable, and we take urgent action to address the concerns
0:14:02 > 0:14:07raised by Ofsted. There has been further investigation to investigate
0:14:07 > 0:14:13Ofsted's findings.The young people held in the centre often have very
0:14:13 > 0:14:18complex and challenging needs. That require considerable intervention to
0:14:18 > 0:14:24help rehabilitation. When can we have to see some tangible
0:14:24 > 0:14:29improvement in intervention that they received?My honourable friend
0:14:29 > 0:14:34is spot on. These are vulnerable children, and they require the very
0:14:34 > 0:14:39best care, particularly around their mental health. In negotiations with
0:14:39 > 0:14:43the main contractor, I'm roll out absolutely nothing, if those
0:14:43 > 0:14:52contract obligations are not being met.The supplementary questions
0:14:52 > 0:14:55need to be focused specifically on the training centre in Milton
0:14:55 > 0:15:01Keynes.Has the Minister taken any view on reducing the financial
0:15:01 > 0:15:11arrangements with GE for as -- G4S, and what does it take to lose a
0:15:11 > 0:15:16contract?As my honourable friend would acknowledge, a previous
0:15:16 > 0:15:20minister on tarmac responsible for this institution, the contract is
0:15:20 > 0:15:25subject to a series of obligations. The contract was signed in 2004, and
0:15:25 > 0:15:31last the 25 years. I am fully aware of the need to improve standards,
0:15:31 > 0:15:35and rule nothing out. I have already met with the very senior people at
0:15:35 > 0:15:45G4S, in order to point that out. They were found last year to have
0:15:45 > 0:15:51made use of high level of force. But, it is not the only private
0:15:51 > 0:15:54security level found to have used high levels of force against a
0:15:54 > 0:16:07vulnerable group. Is the Minister concerned that profit is being put
0:16:07 > 0:16:15before prisoner safety?With reference to this facility, the
0:16:15 > 0:16:19children held there can sometimes be extremely challenging, and the staff
0:16:19 > 0:16:23have to be able to control them, not just to protect themselves, but to
0:16:23 > 0:16:29protect other children and staff. With reference to the prison report,
0:16:29 > 0:16:33it is not acceptable. We have already engaged with this over
0:16:33 > 0:16:43particularly strip searching, and I expect improvement.It is critical
0:16:43 > 0:16:52that the voice of the victim is heard any criminal justice system.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55They need to bring to be caught or board how the crime has accepted
0:16:55 > 0:17:08them. Under the code, all victims are entitled to a needs assessment.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12I am very grateful to the Secretary of State for that answer. I know
0:17:12 > 0:17:15from the family of my own consistency, that making a
0:17:15 > 0:17:20particular impact statement, is a very stressful and nerve-racking
0:17:20 > 0:17:26experience. So, what steps is he taking, to ensure that in those
0:17:26 > 0:17:32situations, the victim is the priority, rather than the offender?
0:17:32 > 0:17:36Can I thank my honourable friend for his question. It is a situation he
0:17:36 > 0:17:41has raised with us before. We are committed to making sure that
0:17:41 > 0:17:43practical and emotional support is in place of victims throughout
0:17:43 > 0:17:49becoming just as rosettes, such as providing independent, sexual and
0:17:49 > 0:18:01domestic violence advisers. -- violence advisers.
0:18:02 > 0:18:11Stephen Mullins was 12 years old when he was abducted, and brutally
0:18:11 > 0:18:16murdered on his way home. The family feel extremely let down by the
0:18:16 > 0:18:22parole board who have lost their letters, ignored their letters, and
0:18:22 > 0:18:26then left so many of their questions unanswered. It appears that a
0:18:26 > 0:18:33worrying pattern is emerging here. Will the Minister help me give them
0:18:33 > 0:18:40some of the answer is that they deserve.Well, first of all, can I
0:18:40 > 0:18:44express my sympathy with Mr and Mrs Mullins, for the most horrendous
0:18:44 > 0:18:49situation that they have experienced. In terms of victim
0:18:49 > 0:18:55support, in the context of another case we need to make sure sure that
0:18:55 > 0:19:07we look again in terms of how that process works in that particular
0:19:07 > 0:19:11case, yes of course, I would be willing to meet the honourable
0:19:11 > 0:19:21member and Mr and Mrs Mullins.
0:19:25 > 0:19:33Into thousand nine, there was a fabricated witness statement. Since
0:19:33 > 0:19:36then, his efforts to seek the help of the courts have been frustrated
0:19:36 > 0:19:41by a cover up which I believe reaches right to the top. Will my
0:19:41 > 0:19:45honourable friend beat except a meeting with me to discuss the
0:19:45 > 0:19:51issues concerning this at his earliest convenience?I thank my
0:19:51 > 0:19:55right honourable friend for his question. I will of course be happy
0:19:55 > 0:20:00to meet him. I am not in a position of calls to comment on this
0:20:00 > 0:20:05particular case, but I will be, of course, willing to gauge with him.
0:20:05 > 0:20:10Thank you Mr Speaker, I would like to welcome the Secretary of State to
0:20:10 > 0:20:14his post. Victims must be at the heart of our justice system, but we
0:20:14 > 0:20:20have seen failings, we have seen the police failing victims, and victims
0:20:20 > 0:20:25are asking why there are no further prosecutions. In fact, victims feel
0:20:25 > 0:20:31let down throughout this process. So Mr Speaker, I will ask the Secretary
0:20:31 > 0:20:36of State once again, to support victims and help restore their
0:20:36 > 0:20:41faith, and will he'd agreed today to an independent end to end review
0:20:41 > 0:20:46into the whole handling of this case?In terms of victims, as I
0:20:46 > 0:21:02announced to the House on Friday, there has been a fact-finding review
0:21:02 > 0:21:07agreed for the Warboys case. I am aware of conflicting evidence on
0:21:07 > 0:21:14that point. So, it is important that we pursue that. I quite understand
0:21:14 > 0:21:20why the honourable gentleman suggest an end to end review. Indeed, there
0:21:20 > 0:21:24are questions which you need to be considered in terms of what happened
0:21:24 > 0:21:32in 2008 and 2009 but as I said before, at the moment I want to
0:21:32 > 0:21:38focus on the immediate questions in front of us, in terms of support the
0:21:38 > 0:21:55victims and the parole board.John Worboys... Will my right honourable
0:21:55 > 0:22:00friend prosciutto and asked that he will do everything with -- will my
0:22:00 > 0:22:05right honourable friend reassure us that he will do everything in his
0:22:05 > 0:22:11power.If I could say to my honourable friend, who has been
0:22:11 > 0:22:21tireless on this matter, in recent weeks, is that when it comes to
0:22:21 > 0:22:23precise positions, those up operational matters that are decided
0:22:23 > 0:22:28on an operational. But, let me reassure him, that's nearly a
0:22:28 > 0:22:38thought might -- fortnight ago, I wrote to the... And, ensuring that
0:22:38 > 0:22:43the most stringent measures are taking place in terms of the
0:22:43 > 0:22:54conditions.Thank you Mr Speaker. I visited Liverpool prison yesterday,
0:22:54 > 0:22:59and the inspectors' report was genuinely disturbing and it is of
0:22:59 > 0:23:03course reflected on the ground. There are some very good prison
0:23:03 > 0:23:06officers working there, but unfortunately, the conditions in
0:23:06 > 0:23:10terms of basic sanitation, piles of garbage was really shocking. We have
0:23:10 > 0:23:19got a new Government in place -- governor in place, so that we can
0:23:19 > 0:23:22begin a proper refurbishment and maintenance programme, but most
0:23:22 > 0:23:28importantly, we cannot let this happen again.Thank you Mr Speaker.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33These appalling conditions did not happen overnight. Who will be held
0:23:33 > 0:23:36to account locally and nationally, for failing to implement each of the
0:23:36 > 0:23:45many critical report about the prison, and how in 20 century
0:23:45 > 0:23:49Britain, this is allowed to happen. Lack of adequate health care meant
0:23:49 > 0:23:55that slice were lost. What happened...These are very important
0:23:55 > 0:23:59questions, which we will look at very closely. We published an action
0:23:59 > 0:24:04plan on Liverpool prison. There are two MAC key things we have got to
0:24:04 > 0:24:08do. One is about leadership. The governor has now been replaced by a
0:24:08 > 0:24:16new governor. In future, if anything like this happens, within 28 days,
0:24:16 > 0:24:20we'll be forced to apply. That is only the beginning, this requires a
0:24:20 > 0:24:28complete change in culture that focuses on getting back to basics,
0:24:28 > 0:24:31clean the prison, and making sure that health care provision is in
0:24:31 > 0:24:38place.Can I congratulate my honourable friend on his new role,
0:24:38 > 0:24:42the whole house knows his passion for prison policy, but will he hold
0:24:42 > 0:24:48those individuals to account who allowed these appalling conditions
0:24:48 > 0:24:52in this prison?This is a big question of management. We have got
0:24:52 > 0:24:56to balance the fact that there are a lot of hard-working people who take
0:24:56 > 0:25:00their jobs very seriously and work very long hours. But, there clearly
0:25:00 > 0:25:04have been fundamental failings in place. People will be held to
0:25:04 > 0:25:10account, and above all, we need to work for the team at Liverpool
0:25:10 > 0:25:15prison, to make sure that it is a clean place in the future, to
0:25:15 > 0:25:21protect the public and reduce reoffending.Can I welcome you to
0:25:21 > 0:25:26your new role. In his action plan, it states that there will be a full
0:25:26 > 0:25:37conditions survey, and investment proposal for refurbishment. Is that
0:25:37 > 0:25:42the most realistic outcome for the future of the prison in Liverpool?
0:25:42 > 0:25:45It is certainly true that thereafter challenges, as we see with this
0:25:45 > 0:25:52building itself. It is also true, that even if Westminster Hall was
0:25:52 > 0:25:58built in 1080, that it is possible to keep buildings going. We will
0:25:58 > 0:26:03look very carefully at the fabric. In some cases, there is reason to
0:26:03 > 0:26:09build new wings. In terms of Liverpool prison, we can make a huge
0:26:09 > 0:26:15difference to £2.5 million going into new Windows and refurbishing
0:26:15 > 0:26:23certain cells.Rat infestations were cited. Prison maintenance was
0:26:23 > 0:26:30outsourced. This shows that problems with outsourcing goes wailed beyond
0:26:30 > 0:26:44Carillion. Will you commit to a review... We will look very
0:26:44 > 0:26:50carefully at the issues of maintenance. The problems are not
0:26:50 > 0:26:54only around maintenance. They are also about relationships between the
0:26:54 > 0:26:57management and the contractors, and about the way that prisoners were
0:26:57 > 0:27:03used or not used to clean the estate. We have used a -- made a
0:27:03 > 0:27:06huge amount of it was just in the last few weeks, by changing the
0:27:06 > 0:27:12management approach.I thank the Minister for his answer on
0:27:12 > 0:27:16contractors, but it is hard to have faith that he will address the
0:27:16 > 0:27:22problems at Liverpool, or at any prison, when it has recently come to
0:27:22 > 0:27:31light that his Government handed Carillion money even after concerns
0:27:31 > 0:27:41have been raised. In reality, they put profit first, these private
0:27:41 > 0:27:45contractors.
0:27:45 > 0:27:52We don't believe it's an ideological fight between the private and public
0:27:52 > 0:27:58sector. 70% of Carillion's workforce were public servants. Most of this
0:27:58 > 0:28:03has been solved through basic management leadership. There has
0:28:03 > 0:28:08been a deep clean. The yard units have increased from 5-18, the
0:28:08 > 0:28:13conditions will improve rapidly. In the end, a lot is about management,
0:28:13 > 0:28:21not about a private- public debate. There are three things that we have
0:28:21 > 0:28:25been doing on education. The first is to make sure the government are
0:28:25 > 0:28:29empowered to bring in their own education providers, the second is
0:28:29 > 0:28:33to set minimum standards in relation to English language particularly and
0:28:33 > 0:28:39the third is for the futures network to connect people to jobs.The
0:28:39 > 0:28:43ministers are seeking to grant this question with number 12.I would
0:28:43 > 0:28:53like to take number eight and 12 together.I thank my honourable
0:28:53 > 0:28:59friend for his answer, he knows that 46% of prisoners have only got a
0:28:59 > 0:29:03literacy age of 11 and that is three times the national average, which is
0:29:03 > 0:29:10still too high. Does he agree with me that it is lack of literacy that
0:29:10 > 0:29:15often makes people go to prison in the first place and could explained
0:29:15 > 0:29:20in a little bit more detail how we can reduce this illiteracy level so
0:29:20 > 0:29:25we don't get reoffending.
0:29:27 > 0:29:32As the Speaker implies in his reprimand to me, the causes of
0:29:32 > 0:29:35offending many and multiple, illiteracy is one along with issues
0:29:35 > 0:29:41to do with people health, education, social and over criminal justice
0:29:41 > 0:29:45system but literacy is key to reduce reoffending because literacy is the
0:29:45 > 0:29:50key to get a good job and good education provision in prison is
0:29:50 > 0:29:58driven by governors will be the key to addressing this.Can the
0:29:58 > 0:30:03ministers say anything more on the steps the government is taking
0:30:03 > 0:30:06further to empower governors to deliver effective education and
0:30:06 > 0:30:14training in prisons?The answer is that we have empowered them by
0:30:14 > 0:30:17having an EU procurement contract in place that means that we in the
0:30:17 > 0:30:21Ministry will do the central procurement bureaucracy but the
0:30:21 > 0:30:25governments can choose who they used to actually train and educate the
0:30:25 > 0:30:30prisoners. The governors are also going to yield to choose which
0:30:30 > 0:30:36companies to pay with so that the excellent work I saw on metal
0:30:36 > 0:30:39welding was able to really contributed in getting jobs in the
0:30:39 > 0:30:40community.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44Does the Minister agree that whatever plans he comes up with
0:30:44 > 0:30:51require enough prison officers on the estate to be able to release
0:30:51 > 0:30:54prisoners from their cells and take them to education and training
0:30:54 > 0:31:01classes and does he know that I know except to reduce the number of
0:31:01 > 0:31:06prison officers has seriously hampered the chances of prisoners
0:31:06 > 0:31:10reoffending? Amongst the many issues that face education in prisons is
0:31:10 > 0:31:15run the issue of numbers, which is why we have now committed and are
0:31:15 > 0:31:21delivering ahead of target to having 2500 more prison officers which will
0:31:21 > 0:31:25allow us to have the key working programmes in place for each officer
0:31:25 > 0:31:31will be paired with six prisoners to guide them through the process.
0:31:32 > 0:31:37With the Minister accept there are some very good examples of literacy
0:31:37 > 0:31:40classes in prisons and reoffending rates reducing but would he
0:31:40 > 0:31:44undertake to ensure the best practice but across the United
0:31:44 > 0:31:47Kingdom is replicated so we can see reoffending rates fall across the
0:31:47 > 0:31:49UK?
0:31:51 > 0:31:56This is true, an enormous number of programmes have huge success. In
0:31:56 > 0:32:00Brixton prison, the problem is reducing reoffending by 43% but we
0:32:00 > 0:32:04can do much more to learn the lessons and have a proper
0:32:04 > 0:32:07standardised document that takes what has worked elsewhere and drives
0:32:07 > 0:32:12through the entire system.In order to encourage more businesses to take
0:32:12 > 0:32:17on former offenders, the government has to lead by example and not just
0:32:17 > 0:32:21by exaltation. The band box initiative was brought down across
0:32:21 > 0:32:24government to encourage that, how his former offender employment going
0:32:24 > 0:32:29in the public sector?I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor who
0:32:29 > 0:32:34did this job far better than I will be able to determine of the things
0:32:34 > 0:32:39he introduced which is going very well is working with the Ministry of
0:32:39 > 0:32:42Defence, providing basic supplies for British military troops there is
0:32:42 > 0:32:45something that is providing employment of prisoners but the
0:32:45 > 0:32:52training of vocational skills or require.Prisoners move round the
0:32:52 > 0:32:55prison system and in the end they come out of the prison system, one
0:32:55 > 0:32:59of the things that goes wrong consistently is the lack of
0:32:59 > 0:33:04consistency of education and training between different
0:33:04 > 0:33:07institutions once prisoners leave. The minister talked about poor to
0:33:07 > 0:33:11the governors but they have to work within the construct, what is he
0:33:11 > 0:33:17going to do to make sure we have got that consistency?This is a balance
0:33:17 > 0:33:20between empowering the governors so they can have a tailored programme
0:33:20 > 0:33:24that is flexible and works for the prison while having decent national
0:33:24 > 0:33:29standards and that will be set in the curriculum to national level,
0:33:29 > 0:33:35having the area managers engaged but also giving the governor ability to
0:33:35 > 0:33:38give skills relevant to the jobs that are actually outside the prison
0:33:38 > 0:33:48gates.Question number nine. Public safety is a primary consideration in
0:33:48 > 0:33:58decisions on releasing a prisoner. The law requires that a release is
0:33:58 > 0:34:05allowed this there is no danger to the public. The decisions are based
0:34:05 > 0:34:07on incomprehensible assessment of the ongoing risk posed by the
0:34:07 > 0:34:13offender using detailed reports compiled by risk management
0:34:13 > 0:34:16professionals. I have a nice that my department will carry out a full
0:34:16 > 0:34:21review of the relevant processes and procedures in place for victims
0:34:21 > 0:34:23relating to put parole board decisions and will consider if they
0:34:23 > 0:34:24should be improved.
0:34:26 > 0:34:37I will come my honourable friend, we worked in the same city for a number
0:34:37 > 0:34:41of years. In light of the recent case, my constituents have raised
0:34:41 > 0:34:46similar concerns in regard to the release of Colin pitchfork who
0:34:46 > 0:34:50brutally raped and murdered two teenage girls in my constituency and
0:34:50 > 0:34:55pleaded not guilty. He was only found guilty as a result of DNA
0:34:55 > 0:35:00evidence, which was a first at the time. What assurances can my right
0:35:00 > 0:35:06honourable friend provide for the safety of my constituents and others
0:35:06 > 0:35:11who have not been fully considered in this matter and will he assure us
0:35:11 > 0:35:14that the parole board will take into account the safety of our citizens
0:35:14 > 0:35:22in regard to Mr pitchfork's release. Can I thank my honourable friend for
0:35:22 > 0:35:25his remarks. The safety of the public is the parole board's
0:35:25 > 0:35:29overriding concern in considering whether prisoners should be released
0:35:29 > 0:35:34and that will be the board's concern when it comes to reviewing this
0:35:34 > 0:35:38detention. I can confirm that the families of the victims are
0:35:38 > 0:35:44receiving regular contact and specifically they have been given
0:35:44 > 0:35:48the opportunity to submit a victim personal statement to the parole
0:35:48 > 0:35:52board and to make representations regarding licence conditions for any
0:35:52 > 0:36:02upcoming hearing. The special protections for release.Does the
0:36:02 > 0:36:09Minister believe that placing prisoners back where they offended
0:36:09 > 0:36:15is problematic.Ultimately these are operational decisions and there are
0:36:15 > 0:36:21a number of factors that have to be taken into account in deciding what
0:36:21 > 0:36:27licence conditions exist. Clearly, the views and concerns of victims an
0:36:27 > 0:36:31important part of that process.In relation to the parole board review
0:36:31 > 0:36:39of public safety, for those of us who are deeply concerned, can he
0:36:39 > 0:36:42confirmed that the government with at least cooperate the judicial
0:36:42 > 0:36:50review now being brought by victims? Can I thank my right honourable
0:36:50 > 0:36:55friend for her question. In my statement to the House on Friday, I
0:36:55 > 0:37:01set out that I would not be pursuing the judicial review on behalf of the
0:37:01 > 0:37:04government in this case but I also made it very clear I didn't want to
0:37:04 > 0:37:09say or do anything that would stand in the way of others who may have
0:37:09 > 0:37:14different views on a judicial review and I maintain that position.
0:37:16 > 0:37:21Question number ten. The government want to victims to get the support
0:37:21 > 0:37:26they need to cope with them as far as possible from the effects of
0:37:26 > 0:37:31crime and spending £96 million to fund critical support services for
0:37:31 > 0:37:36victims of crime. This includes £7.2 million for nationally commissioned
0:37:36 > 0:37:47rape support services. George Moore boys lived in rather hide and he is
0:37:47 > 0:37:52not welcome back. He hasn't sentenced the -- hasn't serve the
0:37:52 > 0:37:58sentence he was given. How is the government working with authorities
0:37:58 > 0:38:07to make sure offenders are punished for their crimes.This case has
0:38:07 > 0:38:15troubled us all and me personally, of course it has. In this particular
0:38:15 > 0:38:17case, we are investigating the review from deprivation point of
0:38:17 > 0:38:22view. As the Secretary of State has said, there are operational
0:38:22 > 0:38:27responsibilities here with regards to wear he is transferred to and the
0:38:27 > 0:38:31directions when he is released and where he can go and the Department
0:38:31 > 0:38:36is engaged with that on a daily basis.The biggest insult that can
0:38:36 > 0:38:42be given to the victim of crime is a derisory sentence imposed on the
0:38:42 > 0:38:45offender. Could my honourable friend update the House on his plans to
0:38:45 > 0:38:54widen the scope of the lenient sentence scheme. My honourable
0:38:54 > 0:38:56friend is aware that the government committed in its manifesto to
0:38:56 > 0:39:03consider the extension of the scheme. The Attorney General is
0:39:03 > 0:39:05reviewing that.
0:39:08 > 0:39:13We all know that too often the victims are failed by the criminal
0:39:13 > 0:39:18justice system. It is presumably why in 2015 the Conservatives match
0:39:18 > 0:39:22Labour's manifesto commitment to enshrine victim's rights in a
0:39:22 > 0:39:28victim's law. It is two years on. Can ministers give me a single good
0:39:28 > 0:39:36reason why it hasn't happened?After Easter by victim strategy will be
0:39:36 > 0:39:42published, as promised, and with and there will be recommendations on
0:39:42 > 0:39:44legislative and non-legislative measures, part of which will be the
0:39:44 > 0:39:52largest of underpinning of the code. -- the legislative underpinning.Can
0:39:52 > 0:39:56I first pay tribute to my predecessor, the honourable member
0:39:56 > 0:40:01for Surrey East for the extraordinary work he has done. We
0:40:01 > 0:40:06have have done a range of work with the police through to the conviction
0:40:06 > 0:40:12of over 28 individuals for drawing related offences -- drone.What
0:40:12 > 0:40:16support is given to the prisoners for the high incidence of drone
0:40:16 > 0:40:20attack them will he meet with me to discuss potential improvements?
0:40:22 > 0:40:27We have established specialist teams for prisons that have particular
0:40:27 > 0:40:30vulnerabilities to drone attacks on very happy to meet with the
0:40:30 > 0:40:33honourable member to discuss some of the legislative issues and I would
0:40:33 > 0:40:38add that I also believe there is much more we can do on basic issues
0:40:38 > 0:40:44such as netting and grills, as well as focusing on high technology.
0:40:44 > 0:40:49Drones by one of the ways mobile phones are got into prisons where
0:40:49 > 0:40:53they can be used for criminality alongside drugs. Can my honourable
0:40:53 > 0:40:56friend tell me what measures are being taken to use technology to
0:40:56 > 0:41:02limit the use of mobile phones in prison?Two types of technology can
0:41:02 > 0:41:08be used mobile telephones, one is jamming technology the second is one
0:41:08 > 0:41:11to detect the mobile phones. An astonishing number of phones, far
0:41:11 > 0:41:15too many, over 20,000 were detected in prisons and we should address
0:41:15 > 0:41:19this and two ways. Make sure they don't get in, these are closed
0:41:19 > 0:41:23environment and we should be able to reduce the amount that is coming in
0:41:23 > 0:41:28but secondly, by putting forums in sales to other people to talk to
0:41:28 > 0:41:31their families, we can monitor the calls and control the need for these
0:41:31 > 0:41:34phones in the first place.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43The Ministry of Justice has plans for £1 billion modernisation
0:41:43 > 0:41:47programme for ports. This will streamline and simplify processes
0:41:47 > 0:41:51using technology. This will help both those who work in the courts
0:41:51 > 0:41:53and those who use them.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59Can the Minister give an assessment to the department's recent work and
0:41:59 > 0:42:02improving the performance of the alternative dispute resolution
0:42:02 > 0:42:06scheme and its intention to help consumers resolve disputes with
0:42:06 > 0:42:11traders but also ease the volume of work in the court room? The
0:42:11 > 0:42:16honourable member is right to highlight the importance and value
0:42:16 > 0:42:21of alternative dispute resolutions. Currently, it already runs a small
0:42:21 > 0:42:27claims mediation service to help parties resolve claims under £10,000
0:42:27 > 0:42:31before a hearing. We are also working with online mediation for
0:42:31 > 0:42:34those to begin their claims online.
0:42:37 > 0:42:41Under this government hundreds of courts have closed and the latest
0:42:41 > 0:42:46consultation list, I see Fleetwood Court is on that list. Amateur days
0:42:46 > 0:42:55court closures contribute to a positive experience for people who
0:42:55 > 0:42:59use them?In circumstances where last year nationally courts and
0:42:59 > 0:43:05Tribunal services were only used at 58% of their available hearing
0:43:05 > 0:43:09capacity and in circumstances that I have already outlined, we are
0:43:09 > 0:43:15planning to spend £1 billion modernising the Court service using
0:43:15 > 0:43:18technology to use some processes online and use video evidence more
0:43:18 > 0:43:22effectively. It's appropriate in the circumstances to consider the best
0:43:22 > 0:43:26use of the money that we spend on the legal services system, which we
0:43:26 > 0:43:30are doing for a consultation which will include the honourable member's
0:43:30 > 0:43:34Magistrates' Court and we will listen closely but it's important to
0:43:34 > 0:43:37remember that all the money saved through any court closures will be
0:43:37 > 0:43:42put back into the justice system, making sure that our justice system
0:43:42 > 0:43:51works effectively for everybody in it.
0:43:51 > 0:43:57Mr Speaker, the Worboys case has made clear to me that there are some
0:43:57 > 0:44:01aspects of the parole board process that need to be examined and
0:44:01 > 0:44:05improved. It is crucial that we preserve the independence of the
0:44:05 > 0:44:12board, but it is equally important that these decisions can be
0:44:12 > 0:44:15scrutinised, and in some circumstances reconsidered. That is
0:44:15 > 0:44:22why I asked on Sunday, for the revision to include not just the
0:44:22 > 0:44:26transparency, but also how outcomes and circumstances can be challenged.
0:44:26 > 0:44:31I will not rush to conclusions, this is a complex area, and the rightful
0:44:31 > 0:44:35concerns of the victims will be considered. We will have completed
0:44:35 > 0:44:42the review by Easter, and thereafter.The Lord Chancellor who
0:44:42 > 0:44:48will be aware of the case of my constituent who was left blinded of
0:44:48 > 0:44:58one I. The defendant was sentenced to a pathetically small 22 months.
0:44:58 > 0:45:03Can you personally review how this case has been handled, the soft
0:45:03 > 0:45:07sentence given, and the failures of the criminal justice system to
0:45:07 > 0:45:11support the victim.I am grateful to my right honourable friend for
0:45:11 > 0:45:16raising what appears to be an extremely distressing case. We are
0:45:16 > 0:45:19looking at options to strengthen our response to the domestic abuse, and
0:45:19 > 0:45:25we hope to bring forward proposals soon. I cannot comment on individual
0:45:25 > 0:45:28sentencing decisions, and prosecutions are made by the CVS,
0:45:28 > 0:45:33but I will look at the role that my department had in this case, and
0:45:33 > 0:45:37write to her a response on these specific questions.Thank you very
0:45:37 > 0:45:43much, Mr Speaker. My constituent, Kim Mitchell was subject to sexual
0:45:43 > 0:45:47abuse which is only eight years old. She had to supper the trauma of
0:45:47 > 0:45:50growing up with the authorities not believing her, but after a long
0:45:50 > 0:45:55battle, herpes was eventually charged us last year. Sadly, Kim has
0:45:55 > 0:46:02been denied criminal injuries compensation, does the Secretary of
0:46:02 > 0:46:09State think this is there?Is sad and appalling case, please write to
0:46:09 > 0:46:15me about it. I am happy to meet with the member, as well.Constituents
0:46:15 > 0:46:18repeatedly complained to me that's dangerous criminals to not as a
0:46:18 > 0:46:22matter of cores serve the sentence given by the courts. What actually
0:46:22 > 0:46:26is the department taking to ensure that sufficient prison places are
0:46:26 > 0:46:33available so that dangerous criminals can serve the appropriate
0:46:33 > 0:46:40sentences.The answer is that we focus on making sure that we have a
0:46:40 > 0:46:43proper investment programme in place. Additional money has been
0:46:43 > 0:46:48allocated for the building of new prisons. We have two MAC currently
0:46:48 > 0:46:57being provision. To reassure the member, it is vital that sentences
0:46:57 > 0:47:02are not driven by availability of places.In my recent community
0:47:02 > 0:47:15consultation, real concern was
0:47:16 > 0:47:20expressed, in the earlier exchange, there has been a 35% fall in the
0:47:20 > 0:47:24number of civil aid cases. With the department facing cuts, how
0:47:24 > 0:47:28confident is the Minister that the review that she mentioned earlier
0:47:28 > 0:47:31will provide the access to justice that is currently being denied to
0:47:31 > 0:47:36hundreds of thousands of the most vulnerable?Well, it is very
0:47:36 > 0:47:40important that those who are the most vulnerable do get access to
0:47:40 > 0:47:45legal aid. Legal aid is available, to those who are in need at the most
0:47:45 > 0:47:50critical moment in their life. The honourable member mentioned, in
0:47:50 > 0:47:53relation to housing, legal aid is available, where there is
0:47:53 > 0:47:57homelessness, where there are just replied to the home that they
0:47:57 > 0:48:00seriously threaten life, or health to an individual. We are reviewing
0:48:00 > 0:48:12legal aid, and we will update the House on that.Does the Minister
0:48:12 > 0:48:15agree with me that it is reprehensible, for a north London
0:48:15 > 0:48:25coroner, to independently insist on a priority, where no death will be
0:48:25 > 0:48:31prioritised, because of the religion of the deceased.I am aware of the
0:48:31 > 0:48:44situation, having met with the board of British jews. I do recognise that
0:48:44 > 0:48:50there are some sensitivities over this. That is why I am very happy to
0:48:50 > 0:48:58meet with the honourable gentleman, and the representatives, again in
0:48:58 > 0:49:01the department.Does the Secretary of State think it is right that the
0:49:01 > 0:49:05number of women experiencing domestic violence who are forced to
0:49:05 > 0:49:11represent themselves in court and has doubled since 2012, and what
0:49:11 > 0:49:17steps is he taking to Joe that they get legal representation?As I said
0:49:17 > 0:49:26a moment or so ago, we are looking at this. This is a matter that the
0:49:26 > 0:49:30Government takes very seriously. In terms of the context of legal aid,
0:49:30 > 0:49:35as my honourable friend has already pointed out, we are currently
0:49:35 > 0:49:46undertaking a review.Thank you, Mr Speaker. We know that the
0:49:46 > 0:49:55radicalisation often occurs in a prison setting.Mr Speaker, this is
0:49:55 > 0:50:00a hugely important issue for all sides of the House. We know
0:50:00 > 0:50:06absolutely that extremism, we saw this in France, and in Iraq, can be
0:50:06 > 0:50:11driven in a prison setting. The problem is not simply the 200
0:50:11 > 0:50:17prisoners who are arrested on terrorist offences, but others. We
0:50:17 > 0:50:21are working very hard with the Home Office on this issue, and it will be
0:50:21 > 0:50:24a priority for the Secretary of State and for myself during my time
0:50:24 > 0:50:33in office.Thank you, Mr Speaker. Does the Minister believe that
0:50:33 > 0:50:37funding gaps in the NHS has having a impact on the health care division
0:50:37 > 0:50:44in our prisons?The health care in prisons is a priority for me when I
0:50:44 > 0:50:48took over in July 2000 16. It was the first thing that I started to
0:50:48 > 0:50:56ask about. The Ministry of Justice have a much closer relationship with
0:50:56 > 0:50:59the Department of Health, regarding provision of health care, and we
0:50:59 > 0:51:06have made advances about the transfer of information. I am under
0:51:06 > 0:51:10no illusion of the challenges still to be face, within the prison
0:51:10 > 0:51:14system, with regards to health care, and that is why we will continue to
0:51:14 > 0:51:19work actively with the Department of Health, who actively are involved in
0:51:19 > 0:51:25the Department for the provision of the services.I was pleased with the
0:51:25 > 0:51:29Shropshire and Telford MPs, to see that the court there was not
0:51:29 > 0:51:34included in the list last Friday, but would the Minister meet me and
0:51:34 > 0:51:41other Shropshire MPs, to understand how important it is to maintain this
0:51:41 > 0:51:44in our county? Tenner I would be very happy to meet with the
0:51:44 > 0:51:49honourable member, and any related MPs in that area. There are two MAC
0:51:49 > 0:51:56consultation taking place, but also a wider consultation on the future
0:51:56 > 0:52:00of our courts. I would encourage the honourable member to participate in
0:52:00 > 0:52:05that, and highlight any concerns in that, about his local area any more
0:52:05 > 0:52:11nationally.Thank you, Mr Speaker. Canny Minister tell the House wide
0:52:11 > 0:52:17and organisation is playing over 30 million pounds for a quarter
0:52:17 > 0:52:28system...As I have already outlined, there is £1 billion
0:52:28 > 0:52:31modernisation programme which is very complex, and which we need to
0:52:31 > 0:52:37get right. It involves a number of aspects which need scrutiny. PwC is
0:52:37 > 0:52:40replacing a number of smaller providers, fulfilling an important
0:52:40 > 0:52:50service.Recent HM inspections reports reveal a consistent failure
0:52:50 > 0:52:57to act on recommendations on previous reports. We'll be Minister
0:52:57 > 0:53:00say that compliance of the reports will be the norm rather than the
0:53:00 > 0:53:10exception?Absolutely. There are two MAC things that we are doing to make
0:53:10 > 0:53:14sure that we are doing this. We have set up a special unit to follow up
0:53:14 > 0:53:18on everyone of those recommendations. The second is that
0:53:18 > 0:53:22we have introduced an urgent notification process, requiring us
0:53:22 > 0:53:26to reply within 28 days to any issues that are raised by the
0:53:26 > 0:53:33inspector.Following the round of recent court closes, -- closures,
0:53:33 > 0:53:36there has been a failure to find alternative prison provision is.
0:53:36 > 0:53:40This has not happened, despite them saying that it had. Will the
0:53:40 > 0:53:46Minister meet representations from Eastbourne to resolve this wholly
0:53:46 > 0:53:51unsatisfactory iterations?I would be very happy to meet with the
0:53:51 > 0:53:57honourable member.Pakistani nationals make up one the largest
0:53:57 > 0:54:02good in our prisons, but the prisoner transfer agreement with
0:54:02 > 0:54:05Pakistan has been suspended recent years. As a matter of urgency can
0:54:05 > 0:54:10get this up and running again?The honourable member will be a aware of
0:54:10 > 0:54:15the fact that it was suspended because of corrupt release of
0:54:15 > 0:54:22prisoners by Pakistani prisoners. We are working very closely with the
0:54:22 > 0:54:26Home Office, and the Foreign Office and the Department for International
0:54:26 > 0:54:30Development. To make sure that we make sure that they return to the
0:54:30 > 0:54:39places from which they came.The 18 months prior to May 2017, three
0:54:39 > 0:54:42openly transgender women took their own lives while in custody. What is
0:54:42 > 0:54:48being done so that the staff have the right training, and the
0:54:48 > 0:54:52prisoners have the right mental health support to avoid these tragic
0:54:52 > 0:54:58events?You are right, this is tragic. We are working extremely
0:54:58 > 0:55:01hard to recognise the particular needs of transgender offenders. The
0:55:01 > 0:55:05challenge for the system is that it is a small number of people, spread
0:55:05 > 0:55:08across a number of private prisons, but we are having some progress.
0:55:08 > 0:55:15There is more to do.Mr Speaker, it is good to hear the Minister offered
0:55:15 > 0:55:18to speak to members around the House, about the court in their
0:55:18 > 0:55:23patch. Which is speaks them, will Chic thing to them about
0:55:23 > 0:55:27modernisation and digitalisation, and how those changes may be able to
0:55:27 > 0:55:33improve the access to courts?The honourable member makes a very
0:55:33 > 0:55:38important point, and I would be very happy to engage with any colleagues
0:55:38 > 0:55:41who are likely to discuss it. We are listening, but certainly, the future
0:55:41 > 0:55:51of our courts are exciting, and interestingly, transforming our
0:55:51 > 0:55:59justice system, the documentary, the Lord cheese Justice, and the --
0:55:59 > 0:56:06Chief Justice...I congratulate the honourable member on her
0:56:06 > 0:56:23appointment. She may have noticed a negative reaction to Hopp...
0:56:23 > 0:56:24appointment. She may have noticed a negative reaction toAs I have
0:56:24 > 0:56:30already highlighted, today, these plans take place it within the Tonks
0:56:30 > 0:56:38text -- context of £1 million... But, as I have said, we will listen
0:56:38 > 0:56:43in relation to the court closures, consultation properly. It is the
0:56:43 > 0:56:46Lord Chancellor that will make the ultimate decision, and I will like
0:56:46 > 0:56:50to point out that in the last consultation on court measures, five
0:56:50 > 0:56:54sites that were identified still remain open following the review, so
0:56:54 > 0:56:59when some cases are made, we will listen.When a prisoner is released,
0:56:59 > 0:57:03they are not even at base camp in terms of their rehabilitation, in a
0:57:03 > 0:57:08less they have accommodation. An authorities openly discriminate
0:57:08 > 0:57:18against them, claiming that they have no local... Claiming because
0:57:18 > 0:57:22the prison is far away. Then it is important.There are three things
0:57:22 > 0:57:26that we are doing to address it, but we can do much more. The verses
0:57:26 > 0:57:30having statutory duty on the Government to identify prisoners who
0:57:30 > 0:57:34are at risk of homelessness. The second is that we are investing more
0:57:34 > 0:57:37in the accommodation support services to provide that temporary
0:57:37 > 0:57:45support and accommodation. The third is working with the Government, to
0:57:45 > 0:57:50ensure that we have those homes available even for people with
0:57:50 > 0:57:53severe mental health needs, but housing is essential.
0:57:53 > 0:57:57One of my constituents has a young son who is serving a very long
0:57:57 > 0:58:03prison sentence. He often spends 23 hours locked up in his cell. How
0:58:03 > 0:58:07does the ministers think that is affecting his mental health or his
0:58:07 > 0:58:13chances of rehabilitation on release?Clearly this is not good.
0:58:13 > 0:58:16Prisoners need decent purposeful activity. If you are logged up when
0:58:16 > 0:58:20you sell too long, you're not having educational opportunities and we
0:58:20 > 0:58:24should aim to make sure that people are spending 8-10 hours a day
0:58:24 > 0:58:28outside cells, that is partly about numbers of staff, which is why we
0:58:28 > 0:58:35have brought in another 250 numbers of staff and more education
0:58:35 > 0:58:40provision and that is not acceptable.Following campaigns by
0:58:40 > 0:58:42victim's families, the government announced in October last year they
0:58:42 > 0:58:47would bring in tougher sentences for those causing death or serious
0:58:47 > 0:58:50injury by dangerous driving but still nothing has happened. Why the
0:58:50 > 0:59:01delay?We will be reporting to the House in due course.I like to put
0:59:01 > 0:59:08on record my role as co-chair of the justice unit Parliamentary group.
0:59:08 > 0:59:12When the prison opened, its resume skills development and
0:59:12 > 0:59:21rehabilitation was called pioneering but in the first six months, 27
0:59:21 > 0:59:25Trans staff left. Prisoners are assaulted staff on an occasion and
0:59:25 > 0:59:30only once was reported to police. Recruitment, retention and star
0:59:30 > 0:59:35safety at this prison is in crisis. I'm very happy to meet in detail
0:59:35 > 0:59:39with the honourable member who has put an enormous amount of passion
0:59:39 > 0:59:43and energy into studying issues of prisons in Wales. We do believe
0:59:43 > 0:59:47there are some very positive signs and we can talk goes through.
0:59:47 > 0:59:52Recruitment figures have been very positive. We are ahead on the
0:59:52 > 0:59:56recruitment of 2500 people across England and Wales but happy to sit
0:59:56 > 0:59:59down and talk about that prison.
1:00:08 > 1:00:13As the Secretary of State scene investigation by the Sun newspaper
1:00:13 > 1:00:17into new allegations of misconduct by the West London coroner including
1:00:17 > 1:00:26bullying, sexism and homophobic Kondogbia for staff. Previous
1:00:26 > 1:00:32findings of holding secret inquests at night, clear by the Secretary of
1:00:32 > 1:00:35State to return to work. Will he meet with West London MPs and
1:00:35 > 1:00:42council leaders to discuss this crisis?I thank the honourable
1:00:42 > 1:00:52member for us question, I know that the Parliamentary Secretary will be
1:00:52 > 1:00:59happy to meet him.The number and percentage of women given custodial
1:00:59 > 1:01:04sentences has dropped in many areas of the country. The North Wales the
1:01:04 > 1:01:08figures have increased by 57%. Will the Minister Logan into the reasons
1:01:08 > 1:01:16for this huge increase?Very happy to, please send me the information.
1:01:16 > 1:01:20Some women in Europe have been taken to the family courts on multiple
1:01:20 > 1:01:25locations by former partners. This process has been used as a form of
1:01:25 > 1:01:30emotional abuse and its costly to constituents and what steps are
1:01:30 > 1:01:35being taken to recognise court abuse and what actions will be taken now?
1:01:35 > 1:01:42Using the court process to do this is unacceptable particularly in
1:01:42 > 1:01:45relation to domestic abuse. The court can take actions if it thinks
1:01:45 > 1:01:51there is an abuse of process by restricting litigants's ability to
1:01:51 > 1:01:56continue with further applications and claims. The new rules introduced
1:01:56 > 1:01:59in November made sure that vulnerable court users get the
1:01:59 > 1:02:07support that they need in court rooms.Individuals with Spectrum
1:02:07 > 1:02:12disorder are some of the most honourable inmates in prison and
1:02:12 > 1:02:22subject to abuse and victimisation.