0:00:00 > 0:00:00needs to be done and can I can enter constructive tone which is so much
0:00:00 > 0:00:04more usable?Demand exceeds supply, question to the Attorney General,
0:00:04 > 0:00:10Sir Henry Bellingham. Number one. The Attorney General. In the bribery
0:00:10 > 0:00:14act of 2010 the UK introduced world leading legislation on bribery
0:00:14 > 0:00:18making it a criminal offence for a company to fail to prevent a bribe
0:00:18 > 0:00:22being paid. We are starting to see the effectiveness of this offensive
0:00:22 > 0:00:25holding large companies to account through the first conviction of a
0:00:25 > 0:00:30corporate entity and three deferred prosecution agreement.Sir Henry
0:00:30 > 0:00:36Allingham.Would he agree corruption is embedded in the building culture
0:00:36 > 0:00:40of many countries and it's always the poor to supper, this is being
0:00:40 > 0:00:43encouraged by a number of major trading countries who have not
0:00:43 > 0:00:48followed our lead. What is he doing in the OECD to make sure other
0:00:48 > 0:00:52countries, in line with the UK?I agree with my honourable friend,
0:00:52 > 0:00:57it's the poor is to suffer most when corruption occurs, around the world.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01It is important the UK plays a leadership role and we do the not
0:01:01 > 0:01:04least by setting an example and we've done that by the bribery act
0:01:04 > 0:01:10and what has flowed from that but I would pay tribute to him in his role
0:01:10 > 0:01:13as a very distinguished Foreign Office Minister. He was also able to
0:01:13 > 0:01:20do some of this work and the work must continue.Jim Shannon. Mr
0:01:20 > 0:01:25Speaker, can the Attorney General further believe his department could
0:01:25 > 0:01:31provide more clarification on foreign public officials,
0:01:31 > 0:01:33hospitality payments, self reporting, sentencing and fines,
0:01:33 > 0:01:38adequate besiegers and relevant commercial organisations and how
0:01:38 > 0:01:44does the Attorney General believe this can be done?The honourable
0:01:44 > 0:01:47gentleman is right clarity is important and of course the bribery
0:01:47 > 0:01:50act and prosecutions that flow from it are not all that matters here.
0:01:50 > 0:01:55What we need to do is change corporate culture and that I think
0:01:55 > 0:01:58is how then, it's important that corporations understand their
0:01:58 > 0:02:01responsibilities and he's right, if they are to do that they need to be
0:02:01 > 0:02:05clear about what they can and cannot do so we will always seek to give
0:02:05 > 0:02:13greater clarity but it depends on the circumstances.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18Do we have enough specialist expertise to enforce the bribery act
0:02:18 > 0:02:21properly?I believe we do and of course for some of the most
0:02:21 > 0:02:26substantial cases under the bribery act, it is the Serious Fraud Office
0:02:26 > 0:02:29but prosecutes and investigates and there's a good deal of expertise
0:02:29 > 0:02:34there and he will recognise that in relation to not just convictions but
0:02:34 > 0:02:38referred prosecution as well, we are presenting good cases and winning
0:02:38 > 0:02:56prosecutions.SGM is a crime, it is abuse -- FGM is a crime, it is abuse
0:02:56 > 0:03:01against children and women. There is now a lead FGM prosecutor in each
0:03:01 > 0:03:05area and training is being given to prosecutors across the country.I
0:03:05 > 0:03:09very much welcomed the announcement this week of extra funding to tackle
0:03:09 > 0:03:13FGM in Africa and beyond. Does my honourable friend share my concern
0:03:13 > 0:03:16that in this country with over 5000 cases being reported every year, we
0:03:16 > 0:03:26are still to bring a successful prosecution.My honourable friend is
0:03:26 > 0:03:28quite right to raise the obstacles which have faced prosecutors over
0:03:28 > 0:03:34the years. There have been barriers which have caused real issues as to
0:03:34 > 0:03:37the investigation of these cases. I am glad to say there is an ongoing
0:03:37 > 0:03:41case currently before the courts which I won't comment about but it's
0:03:41 > 0:03:51also important to remind that protection is vital and our FGM
0:03:51 > 0:03:54orders are being used to good effect.Bristol is recognised as
0:03:54 > 0:04:00being at the forefront of some of the community involvement in trying
0:04:00 > 0:04:04to prevent FGM but I think this is a sticking point, the fact we still
0:04:04 > 0:04:07have not yet had a single conviction. What more can he do to
0:04:07 > 0:04:11liaise with the police, because a prosecutor and services locally are
0:04:11 > 0:04:15telling me it's the fact the police are not bringing cases to them that
0:04:15 > 0:04:19prevents them from taking things further?The honourable lady is
0:04:19 > 0:04:24right to press me on these issues. I'm glad to say that with the
0:04:24 > 0:04:27appointment of lead FGM prosecutors in each CPS area and agreed
0:04:27 > 0:04:34protocols were local police authorities, they should be a
0:04:34 > 0:04:38greater understanding for police officers in particular as to the
0:04:38 > 0:04:43tell-tale signs FGM abuse and what to do about them, to get early
0:04:43 > 0:04:48investigative advice from the CPS is vital in these cases.The Solicitor
0:04:48 > 0:04:51General is right to identify specific issues that need to be
0:04:51 > 0:04:56tackled on FGM. If we are to increase prosecution rates right
0:04:56 > 0:05:01across the range of offences, surely we need a properly resourced and
0:05:01 > 0:05:05robust disclosure system. The former Conservative politician and
0:05:05 > 0:05:10barrister Jerry Hayes said this, the CPS are under terrible pressure, as
0:05:10 > 0:05:14are the police. Both work hard but are badly under resourced.He is
0:05:14 > 0:05:20right, isn't he? Well, the honourable gentleman will know that
0:05:20 > 0:05:25for over 20 years I was directly involved in the prosecution and
0:05:25 > 0:05:28defending of serious criminal cases and I am well familiar with the
0:05:28 > 0:05:32challenge of disclosure that has been of long standing. I am glad to
0:05:32 > 0:05:37say that prior to recent revelations, both the Attorney
0:05:37 > 0:05:41General and I have instituted a thorough review not just about
0:05:41 > 0:05:44guidelines but of the entire culture. Police, prosecutors,
0:05:44 > 0:05:48everybody involved at all stages must realise that disclosure must be
0:05:48 > 0:05:55achieved early in an effective way, not just to protect defendants but
0:05:55 > 0:06:01also victims.I appreciate that there is a review and that there are
0:06:01 > 0:06:06long-standing issues, but there is no doubt either that social media,
0:06:06 > 0:06:11things like WhatsApp, examination of mobile telephones prevent new
0:06:11 > 0:06:15challenges -- present new challenges which are time and resource
0:06:15 > 0:06:18intensive and surely it's time we had proper resources on those things
0:06:18 > 0:06:26and then we wouldn't have the system of disclosure we have.Can I remind
0:06:26 > 0:06:29the honourable gentleman that one of the main issues in this area has not
0:06:29 > 0:06:33been that these items have not been obtained, it's the timeliness with
0:06:33 > 0:06:39which they are eventually exposed. That is the issue and I think
0:06:39 > 0:06:44bearing down on that fact that will encourage and increase police
0:06:44 > 0:06:48awareness and the priority that the police need to place upon making
0:06:48 > 0:06:51sure that all of this material is gathered at the earliest
0:06:51 > 0:06:57opportunity.Mr Speaker, with permission, I will answer this
0:06:57 > 0:07:01question along with question seven. The European arrest warrant offers a
0:07:01 > 0:07:08more effective means than none European alternatives at ensuring
0:07:08 > 0:07:14those who have fled the UK are returned to face justice. The Green
0:07:14 > 0:07:18continued extradition arrangements will therefore be an important part
0:07:18 > 0:07:20-- the Green continued extradition arrangements will therefore be an
0:07:20 > 0:07:27important part of negotiations and of mutual interest.Thank you for
0:07:27 > 0:07:34that response. Do you agree with the Director of Public Prosecutions that
0:07:34 > 0:07:39the European arrest warrant is absolutely vital to ensuring quick
0:07:39 > 0:07:42effective cross-border crime and justice measures and will the
0:07:42 > 0:07:48Government commit to remain in the European arrest warrant?Well, I
0:07:48 > 0:07:52certainly agree that it is the most efficient means we have available to
0:07:52 > 0:07:56both bring people back to the UK and then foreign criminals and you'd
0:07:56 > 0:08:05base does this. -- to face justice. Precisely how we do that in future
0:08:05 > 0:08:08will depend negotiations which he knows are ongoing.Why those
0:08:08 > 0:08:17arrangements have to do is go along with the jurisdiction of the ECJ. I
0:08:17 > 0:08:22suppose the question is what is more important, the heavy line on the ECJ
0:08:22 > 0:08:25or being able to effectively tackle crime? Does he agree with the report
0:08:25 > 0:08:29that states that the safety of the people of the UK should be the
0:08:29 > 0:08:35governor Boult overriding consideration?I agree with the last
0:08:35 > 0:08:50part of his question, but I don't think... That's what we think to do
0:08:50 > 0:08:54and we believe that is in the mutual interest not just of the UK but of
0:08:54 > 0:08:59the EU as well and that's why we are confident we can negotiate.Does my
0:08:59 > 0:09:02right honourable friend agree with me that the European arrest warrant
0:09:02 > 0:09:07is just as important to our European friends and partners as it is to us.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10I do agree with my honourable friend and he might like to know that as
0:09:10 > 0:09:17far as statistics go, since 2010, under the European arrest warrant,
0:09:17 > 0:09:231079 people have been surrendered back to the United Kingdom, but 8826
0:09:23 > 0:09:27surrendered from the UK to the rest of the European Union, so this is an
0:09:27 > 0:09:33advantageous arrangement for both sides.Since 20 10,000 of criminals
0:09:33 > 0:09:38have been removed from the United Kingdom to face trial abroad thanks
0:09:38 > 0:09:42to the European arrest warrant so does the Minister agree that such
0:09:42 > 0:09:45agreements are an integral part of our justice system here in the
0:09:45 > 0:09:50United Kingdom?I thank my noble friend and it is important that we
0:09:50 > 0:09:53negotiate a settlement that will enable us to carry on sending people
0:09:53 > 0:09:57back but also just as importantly to bring people back from other
0:09:57 > 0:10:00European nations so they can face justice here. As I say, I am
0:10:00 > 0:10:11optimistic we can do that.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18We are having problems enforcing EA ee request even before we leave the
0:10:18 > 0:10:24European Union. What responses there for that?The case the honourable
0:10:24 > 0:10:29gentleman refers to is it concluded yet so I will say nothing about
0:10:29 > 0:10:34specifically but the point he makes is that we need to to ensure there
0:10:34 > 0:10:39is continuity of these arrangements when we depart the European Union.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43That is exactly what we seek to negotiate. This is something that
0:10:43 > 0:10:47will benefit both us and the rest of Europe, this is two-way traffic and
0:10:47 > 0:10:51it's important to everyone that we negotiate continuing arrangements.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55With your permission I will answer this question alongside question
0:10:55 > 0:10:58eight. These types of crime are often committed over county lines
0:10:58 > 0:11:03and evolve the exploitation of people by violent members of drug
0:11:03 > 0:11:06networks and gangs in order to move drugs and sell them across the
0:11:06 > 0:11:10country. The CPS has recently published guidance that sets out
0:11:10 > 0:11:15there advice on this type of crime. Many more people, particularly
0:11:15 > 0:11:20although not exclusive vulnerable young women, are trafficked for
0:11:20 > 0:11:23prosecution. What steps are being taken within the justice process to
0:11:23 > 0:11:29give them support and help them except this abusive trade?I am
0:11:29 > 0:11:33grateful to my honourable friend. In the new guidance, the CPS has
0:11:33 > 0:11:37emphasised how important it is to safeguard vulnerable people and we
0:11:37 > 0:11:41have places like the UK human trafficking Centre which is a
0:11:41 > 0:11:44central point of contact for all agencies that work with victims of
0:11:44 > 0:11:49sex trafficking, or example where rape victim is cooperating with an
0:11:49 > 0:11:55investigation, making sure that if you are -- they are a foreign
0:11:55 > 0:11:59national in the UK, that their status is preserved for the full
0:11:59 > 0:12:04investigation.My honourable friend is right about going across county
0:12:04 > 0:12:07lines. Wales I think that many vulnerable people, I still think
0:12:07 > 0:12:11they may be prosecuted too much and their vulnerability is not taken
0:12:11 > 0:12:16into consideration enough when the cases are being looked at.My
0:12:16 > 0:12:25honourable friend will be aware that in the modern state act, there are
0:12:25 > 0:12:29provisions for those compelled into criminality and choices have to be
0:12:29 > 0:12:37made whether to treat them as defendants or whether whereas
0:12:37 > 0:12:39appropriate to encourage them to cooperate because many of these
0:12:39 > 0:12:46people are frankly victims.The LCA just showed their invisible people
0:12:46 > 0:12:49exhibition in Belfast and it shows the harrowing portrayal of what
0:12:49 > 0:12:53people go through exploited the prostitution, drugs or forced
0:12:53 > 0:13:00Labour.Are we winning the battle? The honourable gentleman graphically
0:13:00 > 0:13:03illustrates the fact that this particular fact of life is in every
0:13:03 > 0:13:08town and city across our country. The idea that slavery ended many
0:13:08 > 0:13:14centuries ago is a fallacy and once we face up to that, and I think the
0:13:14 > 0:13:17police and the prosecution are facing up to it, then we are halfway
0:13:17 > 0:13:28to dealing with this scourge. But more needs to be done.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31Although many older people do not consider themselves to be
0:13:31 > 0:13:35vulnerable, they can often be perceived as an easy target for
0:13:35 > 0:13:42criminals and to address this the CPS has committed to updating its
0:13:42 > 0:13:46statement on crimes is an older people within the next year.We all
0:13:46 > 0:13:53have a elderly relatives or friends who are the victims of telephone
0:13:53 > 0:13:57scams, a particularly horrible crime where people pretend to be banks and
0:13:57 > 0:14:01causes incredible distress. Can we have real action on this and real
0:14:01 > 0:14:06resources committed?My honourable friend is absolutely right to raise
0:14:06 > 0:14:10this issue and I would commend financial institutions like
0:14:10 > 0:14:18nationwide that are already creating specialist much more secure phone
0:14:18 > 0:14:22lines for older people, particularly carers for people who are unwell, to
0:14:22 > 0:14:25conduct their financial transactions. It's an excellent
0:14:25 > 0:14:29example of how the financial services sector can actually dried
0:14:29 > 0:14:37out and design out this type of fraud.Mr Speaker, later this month,
0:14:37 > 0:14:39the Crown Prosecution Service will host an international summit will
0:14:39 > 0:14:43prosecutors from 21 countries around the world. It's unambitious summit
0:14:43 > 0:14:47which aims to identify ways to better support witnesses in
0:14:47 > 0:14:53establishing a strong active international network to tackle more
0:14:53 > 0:14:58actively the crime of modern slavery.Does he agree with me that
0:14:58 > 0:15:00modern slavery and human trafficking are indeed international problems
0:15:00 > 0:15:05that require the collaboration of the Crown Prosecution Service to
0:15:05 > 0:15:09similar judicially systems from many countries in order to address them.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12I thank my honourable friend and it's important that we work with
0:15:12 > 0:15:16partners around the world. The CPS have 30 prosecutors located in other
0:15:16 > 0:15:20countries and of course we agreed last year at the United Nations to
0:15:20 > 0:15:26double hour spent overseas in combating modern slavery.Would he
0:15:26 > 0:15:29welcomed the work of the UK branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary
0:15:29 > 0:15:34Association and support to the Home Office in dealing with this issue in
0:15:34 > 0:15:41particular and witty give support to the eight particular countries being
0:15:41 > 0:15:47dealt with from his office?I do welcome mat and there is a lot we
0:15:47 > 0:15:50could do in this institution to back up the fight against modern slavery
0:15:50 > 0:15:54and of course to focus on where the majority of those who are trafficked
0:15:54 > 0:15:58tend to come from. Of course it isn't just those eight countries as
0:15:58 > 0:16:02he will recognise. Those identified as victims of modern slavery are
0:16:02 > 0:16:06raving in this country came last year from some 108 different
0:16:06 > 0:16:12countries but he is right, there are particular countries to focus on.
0:16:12 > 0:16:17How much money has the UK Government committed to tackling slavery around
0:16:17 > 0:16:22the world?Last year at the UN General Assembly the UK Government
0:16:22 > 0:16:27agreed it would spend £150 million overseas in combating modern
0:16:27 > 0:16:31slavery, that is in addition to substantial sums already committed
0:16:31 > 0:16:37within our domestic budget to do with the problem.I have to notify
0:16:37 > 0:16:45the house in accordance with the Royal assent act. Telecommunications
0:16:45 > 0:16:50infrastructure relief from nondomestic