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1132928

	registered interest
	date	18/06/2019
	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 proportion of reported rape cases that were passed to the Crown Prosecution Service by the police forces of England and Wales were returned to the police for further evidence to be gathered in 2017-18.
	tabling member constituency	Torfaen
	tabling member printed	Nick Thomas-Symonds
	uin	266227
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2019 answer text <p>Rape is a horrific crime which has a significant and profound impact on victims. It is vital to ensure that cases are investigated thoroughly in order to bring them to justice. To achieve this, it is necessary in many cases to seek further information before a prosecutor is able to determine whether or not to charge. This process ensures that cases are as robust as possible once they reach the court.</p><p>In 2017-18, cases were referred back to the Police for 61% of suspects in cases recorded as rape in the system. Whilst one situation where the CPS may refer a case back to the Police is to request further evidence, it could also be in instances when the Police have sought ‘early investigative advice’ from the CPS to assist in determining the evidence required for a charge. It is not possible to separate cases where the CPS has requested further evidence and when the Police have sought early investigative advice.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 24/06/2019 15:26:16 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
	tabling member	4479 label Biography information for Nick Thomas-Symonds

1132935

	registered interest
	date	18/06/2019
	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 proportion of reported rape cases in 2017-18 passed to the CPS by the police forces of England and Wales were returned to the police for further evidence to be gathered, and were not subsequently returned to the CPS with that further evidence.
	tabling member constituency	Torfaen
	tabling member printed	Nick Thomas-Symonds
	uin	266233
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2019 answer text <p>The CPS recognises that rape and serious sexual offences have a significant and profound impact on victims. It is vital to ensure that cases are investigated thoroughly in order to bring them to justice. To achieve this, it is necessary in many cases to seek further information before a prosecutor is able to determine whether or not to charge. In such cases, an action plan requesting further evidence will be provided to the police by the CPS.</p><p> </p><p>When the Police are unable to respond to the action plan, the case is administratively finalised. This is an administrative process where cases are closed on the CPS’s Case Management System if, after reminders from the CPS, the Police do not submit further information. Such cases may be reopened if, at a later date, new material is provided to the CPS by the Police enabling them to decide whether to charge.</p><p> </p><p>The Police may also seek ‘early investigative advice’ from the CPS to assist in determining the evidence required for a charge. In these cases the CPS may also administratively finalise a case if after receiving CPS advice, the Police do not re-submit the case.</p><p> </p><p>In 2017/18, 22% of all rape cases referred to the CPS were administratively finalised.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 24/06/2019 16:34:49 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
	tabling member	4479 label Biography information for Nick Thomas-Symonds

800693

	registered interest
	date	04/12/2017
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Hate Crime: Disability and Homosexuality
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that the Crown Prosecution Service has adequate resources to tackle crimes against gay and disabled people.
	tabling member constituency	Torfaen
	tabling member printed	Nick Thomas-Symonds
	uin	117314
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/12/2017 answer text <p>Tackling hate crime is a priority for the CPS and for wider government and the CPS is committed to allocating sufficient resource to tackle hate crime across all monitored strands. The CPS has resourced a network of Hate Crime Coordinators in each of its Areas, acting as a central point of contact for specialist advice and providing oversight of hate crime cases.</p><p>In 2016-17, disability hate crime performance included the highest ever volume of completed prosecutions at 1,009, with a conviction rate of 79.3%. There were also 1,375 completed prosecutions for homophobic hate crime, with a conviction rate of 83.2%.</p> answering member constituency Kenilworth and Southam answering member printed Jeremy Wright question first answered 19/12/2017 13:27:41 answering member 1560 label Biography information for Sir Jeremy Wright
	tabling member	4479 label Biography information for Nick Thomas-Symonds

800694

	registered interest
	date	04/12/2017
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Hate Crime: Convictions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, how many incidents of hate crime resulted in convictions in (a) 2016 and (b) 2017.
	tabling member constituency	Torfaen
	tabling member printed	Nick Thomas-Symonds
	uin	117315
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/12/2017 answer text <p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) maintains a central record of the number of defendants flagged as committing hate crime offences that were prosecuted and convicted through its Case Management System.</p><p> </p><p>The table below shows the volume and proportion of hate crime prosecutions and convictions during each of the last three years.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>-</p></td><td colspan="2"><p><strong>2014 - 15</strong></p></td><td colspan="2"><p><strong>2015 - 16</strong></p></td><td colspan="2"><p><strong>2016 - 17</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>-</p></td><td><p><strong>Volume</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>%</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Volume</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>%</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Volume</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>%</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Convictions</p></td><td><p>12,220</p></td><td><p>82.9%</p></td><td><p>12,846</p></td><td><p>83.2%</p></td><td><p>12,072</p></td><td><p>83.4%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Unsuccessful</p></td><td><p>2,518</p></td><td><p>17.1%</p></td><td><p>2,596</p></td><td><p>16.8%</p></td><td><p>2,408</p></td><td><p>16.6%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>14,738</strong></p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>15,442</strong></p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>14,480</strong></p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3"><p><em>Data Source: Case Management Information System</em></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>The CPS does not hold a record of the number of reported incidents of hate crimes. Such information is recorded by the 43 police forces. The data reported in the table above shows prosecutions completed by the CPS after receipt of the case papers from the police.</p> answering member constituency Kenilworth and Southam answering member printed Jeremy Wright question first answered 19/12/2017 13:45:31 answering member 1560 label Biography information for Sir Jeremy Wright
	tabling member	4479 label Biography information for Nick Thomas-Symonds

1170428

	registered interest
	date	13/01/2020
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Sexual Offences: Convictions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, what steps the Government is taking to improve conviction rates for rape and sexual offences.
	tabling member constituency	Torfaen
	tabling member printed	Nick Thomas-Symonds
	uin	2667
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2020 answer text <p>Rape is a devastating offence that can have a significant and profound impact on victims, and the CPS is committed to bringing perpetrators of these horrific crimes to justice. The CPS welcomes and accepts all recommendations made in HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate’s ‘Rape Inspection’ report, published in December 2019, and joint work with the police is already underway to make improvements. This work covers a range of areas, including case progression, digital capability and disclosure, expertise, supporting victims, and stakeholder engagement.</p><p> </p><p>The ongoing cross-Government review into this complex area will offer comprehensive findings across the whole criminal justice system, and I look forward to its completion.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 16/01/2020 15:51:01 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
	tabling member	4479 label Biography information for Nick Thomas-Symonds

1170429

	registered interest
	date	13/01/2020
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Sexual Offences: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, what steps he is taking to increase the number of reported rape and sexual offences that are brought to trial.
	tabling member constituency	Torfaen
	tabling member printed	Nick Thomas-Symonds
	uin	2668
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2020 answer text <p>The reduction in suspects charged in rape and serious sexual offence cases is a cause of concern. Both Government and the CPS are committed to exploring what improvements can be made to the handling of these horrific cases and making progress in this area.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS welcomes and has accepted all recommendations made in HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate’s ‘Rape Inspection’ report, published in December 2019, and a joint action plan with the police is already underway to make improvements. The ongoing cross-Government review into this complex area will also offer comprehensive findings across the whole criminal justice system, and I look forward to its completion. The CPS will address any issues highlighted by the review openly and honestly.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 16/01/2020 15:49:23 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
	tabling member	4479 label Biography information for Nick Thomas-Symonds

1170430

	registered interest
	date	13/01/2020
	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, how many and what proportion of cases of suspected rape were given No Further Action as a result of insufficient evidence to proceed in each of the last three years.
	tabling member constituency	Torfaen
	tabling member printed	Nick Thomas-Symonds
	uin	2669
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2020 answer text <p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) maintains a central record of the number of suspects, flagged as rape suspects, referred to prosecutors for a pre-charge decision and the number of decisions not to prosecute suspects following the charging decision.</p><p>The table below shows the volume and percentage of legal decisions not to prosecute for evidential reasons in each year from 2016/17 to 2018/19.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td colspan="2"><p>2016-2017</p></td><td colspan="2"><p>2017-2018</p></td><td colspan="2"><p>2018-2019</p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>Volume</p></td><td><p>%</p></td><td><p>Volume</p></td><td><p>%</p></td><td><p>Volume</p></td><td><p>%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Legal Decision: No Further Action: Evidential</p></td><td><p>2061</p></td><td><p>31.2%</p></td><td><p>1786</p></td><td><p>29.7</p></td><td><p>1816</p></td><td><p>35.5</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Data Source: Case Management Information System</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 16/01/2020 16:33:08 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
	tabling member	4479 label Biography information for Nick Thomas-Symonds

1170431

	registered interest
	date	13/01/2020
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Rape: Criminal Proceedings
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, what the average number of days taken from a report of rape to a decision to charge was in each year since 2015.
	tabling member constituency	Torfaen
	tabling member printed	Nick Thomas-Symonds
	uin	2670
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2020 answer text <p>Records held by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) provide data showing the average number of days from receipt of the pre-charge case from the police to the decision to charge. The CPS does not have a record of the number of days from the date a crime was reported to the police to the date the police refer the case to CPS for a charging decision.</p><p> </p><p>The table below shows the average number of days from the date a case is received from the police to the date the decision to charge was taken for cases flagged as rape in each year from 2015/16 to 2018/19.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>2015 – 2016</p></td><td><p>2016 – 2017</p></td><td><p>2017 – 2018</p></td><td><p>2018 - 2019</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Average police and CPS time to charge</p></td><td><p>52.70</p></td><td><p>67.28</p></td><td><p>77.98</p></td><td><p>107.68</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>In cases where a file is submitted to the CPS for early investigative advice or where there is insufficient evidence to bring a charge at the first referral, the prosecutor will advise the police officer on the further evidence to be gathered. Once this further evidence has been gathered the officer will return the case to the CPS in order for a charging decision to be made. With the increase in use of early investigative advice, the CPS is more often involved at an earlier stage in proceedings, which has an effect on the average number of consultations and overall timeliness.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 16/01/2020 17:24:15 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
	tabling member	4479 label Biography information for Nick Thomas-Symonds

1695354

	registered interest
	date	12/03/2024
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Cabinet Office: Defamation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to paragraphs 7.16 and 7.17 of the Ministerial Code, on how many occasions have ministers in his department informed the Law Officers that they are the defendants in a libel action in (a) their personal capacity, (b) their official position and (c) both since 19 December 2019.
	tabling member constituency	Torfaen
	tabling member printed	Nick Thomas-Symonds
	uin	18213
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/03/2024 answer text <p>As set out in paragraph 2.13 of the Ministerial Code: “The fact that the Law Officers have advised or have not advised and the content of their advice must not be disclosed outside Government without their authority”. As a result, the Government is unable to provide the details requested.</p> answering member constituency Brentwood and Ongar answering member printed Alex Burghart question first answered 19/03/2024 17:28:15 answering member 4613 label Biography information for Alex Burghart
	tabling member	4479 label Biography information for Nick Thomas-Symonds

1698593

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2024
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	Ministers: Codes of Practice
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent progress his Department has made on introducing a deed of undertaking to make the requirements of the Business Appointment Rules enforceable for Ministers.
	tabling member constituency	Torfaen
	tabling member printed	Nick Thomas-Symonds
	uin	20358
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/04/2024 answer text <p>The Government expects all former Ministers to abide by their obligations with regard to the Business Appointment Rules, as set out in the Ministerial Code. The work to develop a ministerial deed is ongoing and an update will be made in due course.</p> answering member constituency Brentwood and Ongar answering member printed Alex Burghart question first answered 15/04/2024 16:59:16 answering member 4613 label Biography information for Alex Burghart
	tabling member	4479 label Biography information for Nick Thomas-Symonds