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1130923

registered interest
date	10/06/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Prisons: Contracts
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 15 May 2019 to Question 251411 on Prisons: Contracts, through what management information requirements is information on staffing levels submitted.
tabling member constituency	Leeds East
tabling member printed	Richard Burgon
uin	262423
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2019 answer text <p>Controllers at each privately-managed prison hold regular review meetings with the contractor against a range of performance indicators that will reflect staffing, recruitment, training, sickness, and attrition and any concerns are discussed at these meetings. Where action is needed, progress is monitored by the relevant Controller and escalated within HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) where appropriate action can be taken in accordance with the contract. There is no requirement in the contracts to agree staffing levels with the Ministry of Justice.</p><p> </p><p>Private providers continue to play an important role in the prison estate and I can assure you that performance of all providers is closely monitored and we will not hesitate to take action where standards fall short.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 18/06/2019 15:03:05 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
tabling member	4493 label Biography information for Richard Burgon

1130930

registered interest
date	10/06/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Offences against Children: Sentencing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of sentences for people convicted of offences relating to the online sexual exploitation of children; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Gedling
tabling member printed	Vernon Coaker
uin	262241
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2019 answer text <table><tbody><tr><td><p>We have interpreted ‘sexual exploitation of children’ as child sexual abuse offences, as sexual exploitation of children is not specifically defined in legislation. The Ministry of Justice has published information (<a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/804510/HO-code-tool-principal-offence-2018.xlsx" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/804510/HO-code-tool-principal-offence-2018.xlsx</a>) on the number of defendants found guilty of child sexual abuse offences and average custodial sentence lengths, however it is not possible to identify the nationality of the defendant as this information is not held in the courts proceedings database. Additionally, centrally held court and prisons data does not distinguish online child sexual abuse offences from all child sexual abuse offences. Information on offences that involve online sexual exploitation of children may be held on record, however to identify these records would be at a disproportionate cost. I have made no assessment of sentencing for offences relating to the online sexual exploitation of children. Sentencing in individual cases is a matter for the Courts, who must follow any relevant guidelines produced by the Sentencing Council for England and Wales. The Sentencing Council has a duty under section 128 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 to monitor the operation and effect of its guidelines. Child sexual abuse is abhorrent and rightly carries tough sentences including life imprisonment for the most serious offences. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 provides a range of offences with robust sentences to tackle the scourge of child sexual exploitation in all its forms. Sentencing is a matter for the independent judiciary, who take into account the full facts of each case.</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland grouped question UIN 262240 262242 question first answered 18/06/2019 14:52:50 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
tabling member	360 label Biography information for Lord Coaker

1130931

registered interest
date	10/06/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Offences against Children: Sentencing
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average length of sentence (a) awarded and (b) served has been for individuals found guilty of the online sexual exploitation of children in each of the last five years.
tabling member constituency	Gedling
tabling member printed	Vernon Coaker
uin	262242
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2019 answer text <table><tbody><tr><td><p>We have interpreted ‘sexual exploitation of children’ as child sexual abuse offences, as sexual exploitation of children is not specifically defined in legislation. The Ministry of Justice has published information (<a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/804510/HO-code-tool-principal-offence-2018.xlsx" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/804510/HO-code-tool-principal-offence-2018.xlsx</a>) on the number of defendants found guilty of child sexual abuse offences and average custodial sentence lengths, however it is not possible to identify the nationality of the defendant as this information is not held in the courts proceedings database. Additionally, centrally held court and prisons data does not distinguish online child sexual abuse offences from all child sexual abuse offences. Information on offences that involve online sexual exploitation of children may be held on record, however to identify these records would be at a disproportionate cost. I have made no assessment of sentencing for offences relating to the online sexual exploitation of children. Sentencing in individual cases is a matter for the Courts, who must follow any relevant guidelines produced by the Sentencing Council for England and Wales. The Sentencing Council has a duty under section 128 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 to monitor the operation and effect of its guidelines. Child sexual abuse is abhorrent and rightly carries tough sentences including life imprisonment for the most serious offences. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 provides a range of offences with robust sentences to tackle the scourge of child sexual exploitation in all its forms. Sentencing is a matter for the independent judiciary, who take into account the full facts of each case.</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland grouped question UIN 262240 262241 question first answered 18/06/2019 14:52:50 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
tabling member	360 label Biography information for Lord Coaker

1130963

registered interest
date	10/06/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Family Courts
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many private law cases were referred to the Family Courts in which (a) both, (b) one and (c) neither parent or carer were represented by a solicitor in each of the last five years.
tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
uin	262429
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2019 answer text <table><tbody><tr><td><p>The number of unrepresented parties in private law Children Act case starts are shown in the table below: <table><tbody><tr><td colspan="7"><p><strong>Table 1:</strong> Annual number of private law cases starting in Family Courts in England and Wales from 2014 to 2018 in which both, one or neither party had legal representation</p></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="2"><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td rowspan="2"><p><strong>Total number of cases started</strong></p></td><td colspan="3"><p><strong>Parties with legal representation</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Both applicant and respondent</p></td><td><p>Either applicant or respondent</p></td><td><p>Neither applicant nor respondent</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p><strong> 42,114 </strong></p></td><td><p>7,424</p></td><td><p>18,630</p></td><td><p>16,060</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p><strong> 43,347 </strong></p></td><td><p>7,654</p></td><td><p>18,500</p></td><td><p>17,193</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016</p></td><td><p><strong> 48,246 </strong></p></td><td><p>8,262</p></td><td><p>20,048</p></td><td><p>19,936</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017</p></td><td><p><strong> 50,652 </strong></p></td><td><p>8,303</p></td><td><p>20,497</p></td><td><p>21,852</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018</p></td><td><p><strong> 51,672 </strong></p></td><td><p>8,561</p></td><td><p>20,346</p></td><td><p>22,765</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Notes:</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="7"><p>1) An applicant party is considered 'represented' if at least one applicant has a recorded representative. Likewise for respondents.</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="7"><p>2) Parties in private law cases are usually the parents or people with parental responsibility for the child/children involved. Others, including grandparents and carers, can apply after gaining permission from the court.</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="7"><p>3) Private law adoptions are not included</p></td></tr></tbody></table>Since 2015, we have invested almost £6.5million in a support strategy for unrepresented parties. This provides practical support and information as well as routes to free or more affordable legal advice. Public funding remains available for parents in public law Children Act proceedings where a local authority seeks an order to place a child in care or under its supervision, and in private law Children Act cases where there is evidence of domestic or child abuse.<table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td></tr></tbody></table></p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 18/06/2019 16:30:36 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1131042

registered interest
date	10/06/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Berwyn Prison
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what plans his Department has to ensure that the capacity at HMP Berwyn is fully utilised.
tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
uin	262449
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2019 answer text <p>We are increasing the population at Berwyn at a measured rate that ensures the safety of prisoners and staff. As with any new prison, there has been a deliberate phased population increase at Berwyn since opening.</p><p> </p><p>Berwyn is already operating as a large prison so we are regularly reviewing plans to ensure its increase in population is done safely whilst maintaining good order and control.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 18/06/2019 16:51:55 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1131043

registered interest
date	10/06/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Berwyn Prison
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what criteria his Department applies when deciding which prisoners are located at HMP Berwyn; and what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of that criteria.
tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
uin	262450
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2019 answer text <p>HMP Berwyn is a Category C training and resettlement prison and when fully rolled out it will also have a reception and remand function for prisoners from mid Wales, North Wales and the North West of England. In doing so it will meet the needs of the courts and the prison population for Mid and North Wales and enable men to be closer to home geographically. Berwyn will also serve as a training prison for men from across England and Wales.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 18/06/2019 15:01:24 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1131044

registered interest
date	10/06/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Berwyn Prison
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the suitability of prisoners located at HMP Berwyn.
tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
uin	262451
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2019 answer text <p>HMP Berwyn currently holds convicted, category C male prisoners. The men located at the prison are assessed in terms of their risk of escape and risk to the public, and as with any other category C prison.</p><p> </p><p>HMP Berwyn holds offenders from Mid to North Wales and North-West England that fall under these criteria.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 18/06/2019 14:56:47 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1131045

registered interest
date	10/06/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Berwyn Prison
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on the (a) suitability of prisoners located at HMP Berwyn, (b) prospect of moving additional prisoners to HMP Berwyn to fill its capacity and (c) criteria for deciding which prisoners are located at HMP Berwyn.
tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
uin	262452
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2019 answer text <p>The Welsh Government was one of many parties on the Programme Board which approved the business case for HMP Berwyn with HM Treasury. This was both during the phase of creating the plans and during mobilisation of the prison. Discussions in these meetings included the nature of the population of Berwyn.</p><p> </p><p>HMP Berwyn is a Category C prison with Reception, Training and Resettlement functions serving Wales, North Wales and the North West of England. There are plans to introduce a Remand function in 2019/20. HMP Berwyn meets the needs of the courts and the prison population for Mid and North Wales, and the North West of England to enable men to be geographically close to home. There are no plans to change the category of HMP Berwyn.</p><p> </p><p>HMPPS Wales regularly meets the Welsh Government to discuss a range of justice issues, including the performance and operations of all Welsh prisons.</p> answering member constituency South Swindon answering member printed Robert Buckland question first answered 18/06/2019 14:59:07 answering member 4106 label Biography information for Sir Robert Buckland
tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1130675

registered interest
date	07/06/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Ministry of Justice: Telephone Services
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2019 to Question 253551 on Ministry of Justice: telephone services, on what date that helpline was set up; how many calls that helpline received in each month from the date it was set up to 30 April 2019; what promotional material was used to advertise that helpline's use; and whether that helpline is still in use.
tabling member constituency	Bolton South East
tabling member printed	Yasmin Qureshi
uin	261502
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/06/2019 answer text <p>The attached table shows the number of calls received by each telephone line, these go back as far as data is available.</p><p> </p><p>The CICA phoneline was set up in 2007/2008. HMCTS centralised its telephone service to go through their Loughborough Contact Centre in 2011. The LAA phonelines have existed in various formats for the past 17 years. OPG do not have the exact date that the phone line was set up. All phonelines are still in use.</p><p> </p><p>All numbers are advertised on relevant department websites and some are included on letterheads and corporate literature.</p> answering member constituency Charnwood answering member printed Edward Argar question first answered 28/06/2019 15:42:53 answering member 4362 label Biography information for Edward Argar attachment 1 file name Copy of Table for PQ 261502.xlsx title Table
tabling member	3924 label Biography information for Yasmin Qureshi

1130697

registered interest
date	07/06/2019
answering body	Ministry of Justice
answering dept id	54
answering dept short name	Justice
answering dept sort name	Justice
hansard heading	Legal Aid Scheme: Domestic Abuse
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many legal aid applications for domestic violence have been made in each year since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Ashfield
tabling member printed	Gloria De Piero
uin	261494
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/06/2019 answer text <table><tbody><tr><td><p>Police recorded domestic abuse crimes have increased by over 60% in the last three years, demonstrating increased victim confidence to report and better police recording of these crimes. Overall, prosecutions and convictions for domestic abuse are both up since 2010 – by 20 per cent and 28 per cent respectively, with 76% of all prosecutions resulting in successful convictions, the highest proportion since 2010. However, the CPS are working closely with the police locally and nationally to ensure appropriate referrals are made by the police and to address any fall in referrals where needed. In November last year, MHCLG awarded £22 million for domestic abuse projects across the country. This is helping to provide over 2,200 new beds in refuges and other safe accommodation, as well as access to education and tailored employment and life skills guidance. MHCLG are also consulting on potential measure for sustainable delivery of support for victims and their children in accommodation-based services for domestic abuse across England. The Consultation ends on 2 August. <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/support-for-victims-of-domestic-abuse-in-safe-accommodation" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/support-for-victims-of-domestic-abuse-in-safe-accommodation</a> The figures below relate to legal aid at the Civil Representation level. Legal aid for these matters is also available by way of initial advice and assistance under the Legal Help scheme. Application and percentage data is not held for Legal Help matters, as the decision on whether to grant funding is devolved to the solicitor in question. <table><tbody><tr><td><p>Financial Year</p></td><td><p>Domestic Violence Applications</p></td><td><p>Granted</p></td><td><p>Proportion Granted</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>19,951</p></td><td><p>17,995</p></td><td><p>90%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>17,652</p></td><td><p>16,187</p></td><td><p>92%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>17,406</p></td><td><p>15,812</p></td><td><p>91%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>16,925</p></td><td><p>15,306</p></td><td><p>90%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>15,662</p></td><td><p>14,114</p></td><td><p>90%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>14,748</p></td><td><p>13,574</p></td><td><p>92%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016-17</p></td><td><p>14,092</p></td><td><p>13,349</p></td><td><p>95%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017-18</p></td><td><p>14,188</p></td><td><p>13,446</p></td><td><p>95%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018-19*</p></td><td><p>10,200</p></td><td><p>9,499</p></td><td><p>93%</p></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Financial Year</p></td><td><p>Injunction Applications</p></td><td><p>Granted</p></td><td><p>Proportion Granted</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010-11</p></td><td><p>19,951</p></td><td><p>17,995</p></td><td><p>90%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011-12</p></td><td><p>17,647</p></td><td><p>16,182</p></td><td><p>92%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012-13</p></td><td><p>17,395</p></td><td><p>15,802</p></td><td><p>91%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013-14</p></td><td><p>16,925</p></td><td><p>15,306</p></td><td><p>90%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014-15</p></td><td><p>15,661</p></td><td><p>14,114</p></td><td><p>90%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015-16</p></td><td><p>14,746</p></td><td><p>13,572</p></td><td><p>92%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016-17</p></td><td><p>14,090</p></td><td><p>13,349</p></td><td><p>95%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017-18</p></td><td><p>14,188</p></td><td><p>13,446</p></td><td><p>95%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2018-19</p></td><td><p>10,200</p></td><td><p>9,499</p></td><td><p>93%</p></td></tr></tbody></table>*(Apr to Dec 2018) Please note that injunction figures, although being separately reported on here, are included as part of the ‘Domestic Violence’ category volumes displayed in the first table.</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard grouped question UIN 261495 261496 261497 question first answered 25/06/2019 11:00:48 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
tabling member	3915 label Biography information for Gloria De Piero