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1000222

	registered interest
	date	02/11/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisons: Visits
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the number of closed-contact visits in prisons to prevent smuggling.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	187326
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>Visits play an important part of reducing reoffending as good relationships with family and friends is proved to reduce risk of reoffending.</p><p>The management and guidance for the use of closed visits is within Prison Service Instruction (PSI) 15/2011. The PSI specifies that closed visits should be imposed where there is an identified risk of smuggling prohibited items.</p><p>We recognise the benefits that Internet Based Video Services (IBVS) can provide in assisting prisoners with maintaining family ties. At present, however, prisoners are not allowed to use an IBVS as a way of communicating, due to operational concerns about the control measures available to safeguard the use of such communications. Work is currently underway to explore the options for the use of IBVS in establishments with strict safeguards in place, and the possibility of making greater use of such within prisons in the near future.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Penrith and The Border answering member printed Rory Stewart grouped question UIN 187327 question first answered 12/11/2018 17:14:17 answering member 4137 label Biography information for Rory Stewart
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

1000223

	registered interest
	date	02/11/2018
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisons: Video Conferencing
	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 merits of using video technology to allow relatives and friends to speak to convicted prisoners at appointed times.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	187327
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>Visits play an important part of reducing reoffending as good relationships with family and friends is proved to reduce risk of reoffending.</p><p>The management and guidance for the use of closed visits is within Prison Service Instruction (PSI) 15/2011. The PSI specifies that closed visits should be imposed where there is an identified risk of smuggling prohibited items.</p><p>We recognise the benefits that Internet Based Video Services (IBVS) can provide in assisting prisoners with maintaining family ties. At present, however, prisoners are not allowed to use an IBVS as a way of communicating, due to operational concerns about the control measures available to safeguard the use of such communications. Work is currently underway to explore the options for the use of IBVS in establishments with strict safeguards in place, and the possibility of making greater use of such within prisons in the near future.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Penrith and The Border answering member printed Rory Stewart grouped question UIN 187326 question first answered 12/11/2018 17:14:17 answering member 4137 label Biography information for Rory Stewart
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

166792

	registered interest
	date	28/11/2014
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Harassment: Social Media
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to prevent people who have been convicted for online harassment or hate crime accessing any other social media internet platforms.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	216377
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2014 answer text <p /> <p>The Government is absolutely clear that abusive or threatening behaviour, or harassment, online or offline, is totally unacceptable. A number of offences may be committed by such behaviour, in particular under section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988 or section 127 of the Communications Act 2003. Changes to the law being taken forward in the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill will help to ensure that people who commit those offences are prosecuted and properly punished. Online harassment could also amount to an offence under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 if it is carried out as part of a ‘course of conduct’ which amounts to harassment or puts someone in fear of violence. Where any crime is motivated by or demonstrates hatred based on certain characteristics (such as sexual orientation) of the victim, the courts must take this into account in passing sentence.</p><p> </p><p>The Government expects social media companies to have robust processes in place to respond promptly when abuse is reported; including acting quickly to assess the report, removing content which does not comply with the acceptable use policies or terms and conditions in place and, where appropriate, suspending or terminating the accounts of those breaching the rules in place.</p><p> </p><p>Where a convicted offender receives a community order or a suspended sentence order the court may impose requirements, including a prohibited activity requirement, which could be used to restrict use of the internet or social media.</p><p> </p><p>Where a convicted offender receives an immediate custodial sentence and is released on licence a condition could be imposed to limit the offender’s access and use of the internet. Licence conditions are set by the prison governor or Parole Board.</p><p> </p><p>We have no plans for further legislation to inhibit convicted offenders from accessing social media.</p> answering member constituency North West Cambridgeshire answering member printed Mr Shailesh Vara question first answered 05/12/2014 14:58:06 answering member 1496 label Biography information for Shailesh Vara
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

166795

	registered interest
	date	28/11/2014
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Administration of Estates
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he is taking to enable the executors of an estate to access the funds held in an executor's bank account prior to obtaining grant of probate to allow them to better manage that estate.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	216376
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2014 answer text <p /> <p>A bank may permit an executor to withdraw money from the deceased’s bank account before probate is granted. However, the bank in question will be liable to the deceased’s estate if it releases funds to the wrong person. The bank may therefore insist on production of proof of the executor’s right to administer the deceased’s estate, namely the grant of probate, before releasing the money.</p><p> </p><p>The Government considers that this strikes a fair balance between the parties and has no plans to change the law at present.</p><p> </p><p>Information about the role of executors and the significance of the grant of probate is available from various sources including <a href="https://www.gov.uk/wills-probate-inheritance/overview" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/wills-probate-inheritance/overview</a> and <a href="http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/ihtmanual/ihtm05101.htm" target="_blank">http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/ihtmanual/ihtm05101.htm</a>.</p> answering member constituency North West Cambridgeshire answering member printed Mr Shailesh Vara question first answered 05/12/2014 14:52:34 answering member 1496 label Biography information for Shailesh Vara
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

170763

	registered interest
	date	16/12/2014
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Squatting: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions his Department has had with the Crown Prosecution Service on ensuring that prosecutions are made under squatting legislation.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	219044
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/01/2015 answer text <p>Squatting in someone’s home can cause the rightful owner untold misery and it is right that the practice is now criminal. We worked closely with the enforcement agencies when preparing for the commencement of the offence of squatting in a residential building, created by section 144 of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. Prosecutions will always be brought where appropriate.</p> answering member constituency Hemel Hempstead answering member printed Mike Penning question first answered 07/01/2015 17:39:02 answering member 1528 label Biography information for Sir Mike Penning
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

171665

	registered interest
	date	18/12/2014
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Young Offenders
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what estimate his Department has made of changes in the numbers of young offenders in each of the last five years; and what assessment he has made of the causes of those changes.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	219491
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2015 answer text <p>Reducing offending by young people is a key priority for the Ministry of Justice and the Government routinely publishes data on the number of cautioning and sentencing occasions for young people as part of the Criminal Justice Statistics Quarterly report: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/criminal-justice-statistics-quarterly" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/criminal-justice-statistics-quarterly</a> (see Table Q6.1).</p><p> </p><p>Table 1 below shows the numbers of cautioning and sentencing occasions for 10-17 year olds residing in England and Wales in each of the last five years, for the 12 months ending June.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Table 1</strong></p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>First Occasion</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Further Occasions</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong> </strong></p></td><td><p><strong> </strong></p></td><td><p><strong> </strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>56,742</p></td><td><p>87,859</p></td><td><p>144,601</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>43,170</p></td><td><p>74,602</p></td><td><p>117,772</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>34,136</p></td><td><p>59,581</p></td><td><p>93,716</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>26,267</p></td><td><p>44,018</p></td><td><p>70,285</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>22,080</p></td><td><p>37,132</p></td><td><p>59,213</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p>The reduction in the numbers of cautions and sentences has been largely driven by the fall in First Time Entrants (FTEs) to the Youth Justice System (see First Occasion column in Table 1).</p><p> </p><p>The Ministry of Justice, in partnership with the Youth Justice Board and other Government Departments, keeps under review the effectiveness of all elements of the youth justice system, and associated services for young people and their families at risk of developing offending behaviour. [1]</p><br /><p>Notes to Table 1</p><p>(1) The first occasion on which offenders received a caution or conviction for offences committed in England and Wales. Where there were multiple offences on the same occasion, the primary offence as recorded on the Police National Computer would be counted.</p><p> </p><p>(2) Subsequent occasions on which offenders received a further youth caution, caution or conviction for offences committed in England and Wales. Where there were multiple offences on the same occasion, the primary offence as recorded on the Police National Computer would be counted.</p><p>(3) Cautions include juveniles receiving reprimands and warnings or youth cautions. Youth Cautions were introduced on April 8th 2013 replacing reprimands and warnings for young offenders. The guidance is published at the link http://www.justice gov.uk/out-of-court-disposals</p><p>(4) Includes offenders whose gender is not recorded on the Police National Computer.</p><p> </p><p>(5) Figures include offenders residing only in England and Wales at the time of their caution or conviction.</p> answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire answering member printed Andrew Selous question first answered 05/01/2015 17:04:49 answering member 1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

171667

	registered interest
	date	18/12/2014
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prison Accommodation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the availability of places in the prison estate to safely accommodate those sentenced to custodial sentences by the courts.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	219492
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2015 answer text <p>This Government will always ensure that we have enough prison places for those sent to us by the courts and we continue to modernise the prison estate so that it delivers best value for the taxpayer.</p><p> </p><p>We have a long term strategy for managing the prison estate which will provide more adult male prison capacity than we inherited from the previous Government. We also have a range of contingencies available to manage temporary or unexpected increases in the population.</p><p> </p><p>We are expecting to open over 2,000 adult male prison places in the coming months, which include 1,250 new places at four new house-blocks. We are also building a new prison in Wrexham that will increase capacity by a further 2,100 places by 2017.</p><p> </p><p>Taken together, these measures will enable us to accommodate safely those sentenced to custody by the courts.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire answering member printed Andrew Selous question first answered 05/01/2015 17:31:02 answering member 1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

171668

	registered interest
	date	18/12/2014
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Kidnapping: Children
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many UK parents have applied for the return of their child from another country under the 1980 Hague Convention in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	219489
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/01/2015 answer text <p>We take every case of international parental child abduction very seriously and the Government works with other countries to help resolve cases in the best interests of the children involved as quickly as possible.</p><p>The table below shows the number of applications for return received from parents by the Central Authorities for England and Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland in each of the last five years. The Central Authorities do not record the nationality of the applicant. Figures for 2014 have not yet been finalised.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p>Calendar year</p></td><td><p>England and Wales</p></td><td><p>Northern Ireland</p></td><td><p>Scotland</p></td><td><p>Total</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2009</p></td><td><p>214</p></td><td><p>7</p></td><td><p>15</p></td><td><p>236</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2010</p></td><td><p>150</p></td><td><p>7</p></td><td><p>10</p></td><td><p>167</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2011</p></td><td><p>200</p></td><td><p>6</p></td><td><p>8</p></td><td><p>214</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>220</p></td><td><p>9</p></td><td><p>17</p></td><td><p>246</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>222</p></td><td><p>6</p></td><td><p>15</p></td><td><p>243</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>The Central Authorities are the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit for England and Wales, the Central Business Unit of the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service for Northern Ireland, and the Scottish Government for Scotland.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bermondsey and Old Southwark answering member printed Simon Hughes question first answered 05/01/2015 13:55:33 answering member 194 label Biography information for Simon Hughes
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

175788

	registered interest
	date	26/01/2015
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisons: Smoking
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will direct the National Offender Management Service to ban cigarette smoking on the prison estate.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	221967
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/02/2015 answer text <p>Planning for implementation of a smoke free policy continues and this will include consideration of implementing arrangements at some early adopter sites instead of pilot arrangements.</p> answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire answering member printed Andrew Selous question first answered 02/02/2015 17:26:03 answering member 1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord

175789

	registered interest
	date	26/01/2015
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prisons: Smoking
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, for what reason the National Offender Management Service suspended the pilot scheme to ban cigarette smoking on the prison estate.
	tabling member constituency	Hendon
	tabling member printed	Dr Matthew Offord
	uin	221968
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/02/2015 answer text <p>Planning for implementation of a smoke free policy continues and this will include consideration of implementing arrangements at some early adopter sites instead of pilot arrangements.</p> answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire answering member printed Andrew Selous question first answered 02/02/2015 17:23:11 answering member 1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous
	tabling member	4006 label Biography information for Dr Matthew Offord