Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1484662

registered interest
date	29/06/2022
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Rape: Prosecutions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, what steps he plans to take to increase the (a) prosecution and (b) conviction rates from reported cases of rape.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	27649
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2022 answer text <p>This Government is determined to increase the number of rape prosecutions and convictions.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS is undertaking extensive work to drive up and improve prosecutions through their Joint National RASSO Action Plan with the police, the Rape Strategy, and the Operation Soteria Pathfinders, which are testing methods for best practice in six CPS Areas.</p><p> </p><p>Since this work commenced there has been a steady increase in the number of rape charges, prosecutions and convictions, quarter on quarter.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 05/07/2022 15:14:58 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1484724

registered interest
date	29/06/2022
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Government Legal Department
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, pursuant to the Answer of 6 June to Question 7940 on Government Legal Department, when she intends to publish the updated Legal Risk Guidance for lawyers in government.
tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
uin	27566
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/07/2022 answer text <p>The Legal Risk Guidance for lawyers in government is important and used in all aspects of their work. The Attorney General recently refreshed, updated and broadened its application across Government in light of the collective experience of Ministers and lawyers of its practical application.</p><p> </p><p>The guidance has been launched with lawyers across the Government Legal Profession and will be published very shortly.</p><p> </p><p>The previous version is available here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-note-on-legal-risk" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-note-on-legal-risk</a></p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 04/07/2022 07:57:24 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

1484261

registered interest
date	28/06/2022
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	National Security Council
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, how many meetings of the National Security Council she has attended since April 2022.
tabling member constituency	Wentworth and Dearne
tabling member printed	John Healey
uin	26698
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2022 answer text <p>The National Security Council is a committee of the Cabinet. It is a long-established precedent that information about the discussions that have taken place in Cabinet and its Committees, and how often they have met, is not normally shared publicly.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 05/07/2022 15:11:12 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
tabling member	400 label Biography information for John Healey

1484403

registered interest
date	28/06/2022
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Rape: Prosecutions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister of State in response to the Urgent Question of 28 June 2022 on prosecution of incidences of rape, what steps he plans to take to enable more survivors of rape to bring forward a prosecution in the event that the CPS determines the case to be one of the survivors word against the perpetrators.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	26796
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2022 answer text <p>This Government is determined to improve support for victims and increase the number of rape cases going to court.</p><p> </p><p>Earlier this year the CPS published their Rape Strategy update confirming their aim to significantly increase year on year the number of rape cases going to court. In each of their RASSO Units their specially trained prosecutors will always look to charge when the Code for Crown Prosecutors is met.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS are also undertaking extensive work to enhance support for rape victims including a ‘digital walk through’ outlining for victims the process of a criminal trial.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 05/07/2022 07:59:39 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1483508

registered interest
date	27/06/2022
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Emergency Services and Retail Trade: Crimes of Violence
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, what steps she is taking with the CPS to improve prosecution rates for offences against retail and emergency workers.
tabling member constituency	Wolverhampton South West
tabling member printed	Stuart Anderson
uin	26004
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2022 answer text <p>The CPS treats assaults against retail and emergency workers extremely seriously. In accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors, charges are selected to reflect the seriousness and extent of the offending and give the court adequate powers to sentence.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS is a signatory to a <a href="https://www.cps.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/publications/Joint%20Agreement%20on%20Offences%20against%20Emergency%20Workers.pdf" target="_blank">Joint Agreement on Offences against Emergency Workers</a> which provides a framework to ensure the more effective investigation and prosecution of cases where emergency workers are the victim of a crime. It also sets the standards victims of these crimes can expect.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS has issued <a href="https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/assaults-emergency-workers-offences-act-2018" target="_blank">legal guidance</a> to prosecutors on the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018. This guidance highlights that the Act requires courts to consider an offence against an emergency worker as an aggravating factor in sentencing. The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 has extended the statutory aggravating factor cover to assaults on those providing a public service including those who provide goods or facilities to the public.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 01/07/2022 07:57:21 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
tabling member	4742 label Biography information for Stuart Anderson

1472843

registered interest
date	23/06/2022
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Roads: Accidents
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the Crown Prosecution Services threshold for deciding whether to prosecute road death offences.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	23706
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/06/2022 answer text <p>The threshold for deciding whether to prosecute offences relating to fatal road traffic collisions in Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) cases is the same threshold that is used for all offences.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS, in making decisions on whether or not a case should be prosecuted, will always apply the two-stage test set out in the <a href="https://www.cps.gov.uk/publication/code-crown-prosecutors" target="_blank">Code for Crown Prosecutors</a> (the Code).</p><p> </p><p>The Code is issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) under section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985 and gives guidance to prosecutors on the general principles to be applied when making decisions about prosecutions. It has been the subject of frequent reviews and public consultations, most recently in 2018, when the eighth edition was published.</p><p> </p><p>The first stage of the two-stage test for prosecution (the evidential stage) requires the prosecutor to be satisfied that there is a realistic prospect of conviction on the evidence. The second stage (the public interest stage) requires the prosecutor to be satisfied that the prosecution is in the public interest. The case will not proceed unless both stages of the test are met.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS guidance on <a href="https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/road-traffic-charging" target="_blank">Road Traffic - Charging</a> assists prosecutors in charging cases involving fatal road traffic collisions. It outlines the charging standards and factors for consideration when prosecution decisions are taken.</p><p> </p><p>In order to ensure consistency of approach, charging decisions in all fatal collision cases are required to be approved by a Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP), a Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor (DCCP), or a senior decision-maker nominated for the role by the CCP or DCCP.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 28/06/2022 13:33:06 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1472582

registered interest
date	22/06/2022
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Charity Tribunal
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, on how many occasions the Charity Commission asked her Department for a reference to the Charity Tribunal in each year since 2010; and how many and what proportion of those requests were (a) granted and (b) rejected.
tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
uin	23238
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/06/2022 answer text <p>As set out in the Attorney General’s written evidence to the Charities Bill Special Public Bill Committee on 6 October 2021, there have been three occasions on which the Charity Commission has asked for a reference to the Charity Tribunal. In two of these cases the Attorney General agreed with the Charity Commission and took the proceedings forward. In one case the Attorney General refused consent. There have been no further requests.</p><p> </p><p>The full written evidence submission is available <a href="https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/39844/default/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 27/06/2022 07:59:09 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

1472632

registered interest
date	22/06/2022
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Criminal Liability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, pursuant to the Answer of 23 May 2022 to Question 5345 on Criminal Liability, for what reason the CPS does not maintain a central record of any defence employed by defendants in criminal proceedings.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	23225
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2022 answer text <p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) collects data to assist in the effective management of its prosecution functions. This data is derived from structured data fields completed on individual case records held in the Case Management Information System (CMS) and reported in the Management Information System (MIS).</p><p> </p><p>Any information recorded in the CMS about the defence(s) employed by defendants would be added as ‘freetext’ which cannot be centrally collated in the MIS and would only be obtainable by manually reviewing CPS case records. Defences employed are by their nature specific to the circumstances of each individual case, so collecting related data would provide little benefit as CPS operational management information.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 01/07/2022 07:54:42 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1472634

registered interest
date	22/06/2022
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Road Traffic Offences: Administration of Justice
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, whether she is taking steps to improve access to justice for victims of death by driving offenders.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	23226
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/07/2022 answer text <p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) recognise that deaths caused by driving offences are particularly tragic cases and ensuring that the victim’s family is appropriately informed and supported in the aftermath is incredibly important.</p><p> </p><p>Crown Prosecutors must always adhere to the two-stage test set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors when making charging decisions in any case. This means first objectively assessing whether the evidential threshold is met, and if this aspect of the test is satisfied, going on to consider whether a prosecution is required in the public interest.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS operates a Victims’ Right to Review (VRR) Scheme which enables close relatives of a person whose death was directly caused by criminal conduct to seek a review of a CPS decision not to bring a prosecution, or to discontinue a case. This scheme has been designed to be as accessible as possible, with no obligation on a victim’s family to make specific representations relating to the CPS decision, it is sufficient to simply ask that the decision be reviewed.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS also has specific guidance and practices which deliver an enhanced standard of service to bereaved families, in recognition of the particularly difficult nature of these cases. This will include offering a meeting with the victim’s family to explain any CPS decision not to charge, and at various other stages of a case.</p><p> </p><p>Improving the experience of victims of crime is a priority for the CPS and last year it commissioned independent research to better understand what victims want and need; and to identify areas for improvement. On the 27 June, the CPS published its response to the research findings, setting out four key areas of action which will form the basis of a long-term programme of work to improve how it engages with victims.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 01/07/2022 07:52:24 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1472635

registered interest
date	22/06/2022
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Road Traffic Offences: Prosecutions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, what steps the Crown Prosecution Service takes when deciding to prosecute defendants of road death offences.
tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
uin	23227
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/06/2022 answer text <p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), in making its decision on whether or not a case should be prosecuted, will always apply the two-stage test set out in the <a href="https://www.cps.gov.uk/publication/code-crown-prosecutors" target="_blank">Code for Crown Prosecutors</a> (the Code).</p><p> </p><p>The Code is issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) under section 10 of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. The Code gives guidance to prosecutors on the general principles to be applied when making decisions about prosecutions.</p><p> </p><p>The first stage (the evidential stage) requires the prosecutor to be satisfied that there is a realistic prospect of conviction on the evidence. The second stage (the public interest stage) requires the prosecutor to be satisfied that the prosecution is in the public interest. The case will not proceed unless both stages of the test are met.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS provides <a href="https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/road-traffic-charging" target="_blank">legal guidance</a> to assist prosecutors in charging cases involving fatal road traffic collisions. It outlines the charging standards and factors for consideration when prosecution decisions are taken.</p><p> </p><p>In order to ensure consistency of approach, charging decisions in all fatal collision cases are required to be approved by a Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP), a Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor (DCCP), or a senior decision-maker nominated for the role by the CCP or DCCP.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 30/06/2022 07:59:57 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman