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1229098

	registered interest
	date	28/08/2020
	answering body	Church Commissioners
	answering dept id	9
	answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
	answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
	hansard heading	Weddings: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what steps he is taking to ensure the accuracy of guidance issue to people planning weddings to (a) protect the finances of those people and minimise disruption to weddings.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	81536
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/09/2020 answer text <p>Weddings are permitted in places of worship, providing certain public health criteria are met, including an advised maximum number of 30 people in attendance.</p><p>Up to date guidance for clergy on weddings and COVID-19 is provided on the Church of England website at: <a href="https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2020-08/COVID%2019%20advice%20for%20Clergy%20Conducting%20Weddings%20v5.1.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.churchofengland.org/sites/default/files/2020-08/COVID%2019%20advice%20for%20Clergy%20Conducting%20Weddings%20v5.1.pdf</a></p> answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire answering member printed Andrew Selous question first answered 14/09/2020 16:11:52 answering member 1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous previous answer version 46023 answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire answering member printed Andrew Selous answering member 1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1196973

	registered interest
	date	19/05/2020
	answering body	Church Commissioners
	answering dept id	9
	answering dept short name	Church Commissioners
	answering dept sort name	Church Commissioners
	hansard heading	Churches: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, what the Commissioners' timetable is for churches to reopen for baptisms, weddings and funerals following the covid-19 outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	902798
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/05/2020 answer text <p>The Church Commissioners do not have responsibility for setting a timetable for the reopening of church buildings for funeral services. Baptisms and weddings cannot at present be celebrated inside church buildings, and the relevant Cabinet Office and MHCLG guidance can be seen here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance#contents" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close/further-businesses-and-premises-to-close-guidance#contents</a></p><p>Current guidance from the House of Bishops is not to conduct funeral services in church buildings because of widely expressed concerns about parishes having capacity to conduct such funerals safely, including being able to clean churches thoroughly between services to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus. This is guidance, not instruction. We are acutely aware of the anguish of those not able to celebrate significant life events such as baptisms, weddings and funerals in their parish church in the current circumstances. The House of Bishops meets regularly to review its guidance which will be updated in line with changing circumstances, and published on the Church of England website.</p> answering member constituency South West Bedfordshire answering member printed Andrew Selous question first answered 19/05/2020 17:06:18 answering member 1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1689908

	registered interest
	date	19/02/2024
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Legal Profession: Accountability
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, whether she is taking steps to encourage the legal sector to engage in corporate social responsibility.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	14469
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/02/2024 answer text <p>The Attorney General and I are champions of pro bono legal work in Government. Pro bono publico is undertaken for the public good and supports corporate social responsibility. As Solicitor General, I chair the Attorney General’s Pro Bono Committee, which meets twice annually and brings together professional representative bodies, and those from the public and the private sectors to share ideas and encourage greater cross-sector collaboration.</p> answering member constituency Witney answering member printed Robert Courts question first answered 23/02/2024 13:45:27 answering member 4589 label Biography information for Robert Courts
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1169772

	registered interest
	date	09/01/2020
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Katelyn Dawson
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, if he will undertake a review of the decision by the CPS not to prosecute the driver responsible for the death of 15-year-old school girl Katelyn Dawson.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	1686
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/01/2020 answer text <p>This is indeed a tragic case and I offer my sincere condolences to Katelyn Dawson’s family and friends. This case has been reviewed multiple times, culminating in an independent review by senior external Counsel which found that the case should not be prosecuted.</p><p> </p><p>The CPS determined not to bring proceedings against the driver of the vehicle as he had passed out at the wheel due to an unforeseeable medical condition. Under the Victim’s Right to Review (VRR), Katelyn’s family asked the CPS to reconsider the decision. The Chief Crown Prosecutor personally reviewed the original decision, as the first stage of the VRR process. The Chief Crown Prosecutor upheld the original decision. The Appeals and Review Unit then reviewed the case. A further independent review was then carried out by a Specialist Prosecutor. Senior Counsel external to the CPS was also instructed due to the highly sensitive nature of the case and the unusual circumstances. This second entirely independent review also concluded that the case should not be prosecuted.</p><p> </p><p>A clear and independent process is already in place to ensure victims’ rights are supported and protected and was fully operative in this case. It would therefore not be right for me to interfere with that independent process.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 14/01/2020 15:52:14 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1169935

	registered interest
	date	10/01/2020
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Dangerous Driving: Victim Support Schemes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, if he will commission an inquiry into the adequacy of support services for families of victims of dangerous driving during prosecutions for that offence.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	1886
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/01/2020 answer text <p>Supporting victims and witnesses throughout the criminal justice system is a key priority for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). In cases where death has been caused by dangerous driving the CPS offers an enhanced service to bereaved families, meeting with them at crucial stages of the criminal justice process to explain the anticipated progress of the case and what is to be expected at each court hearing. The CPS commitment to bereaved families is incorporated in the Victims’ Code.</p><p>Where a victim or a bereaved family, in a dangerous driving case, is not satisfied with a decision by the CPS not to charge they can seek a review under the CPS Victims Right to Review Scheme. This scheme allows for an independent review of such decisions, which can confirm or overturn them. Bereaved families will be offered a meeting at the end of the review process to discuss the outcome.</p><p>The Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (Victims’ Code) outlines the services victims are entitled to receive, including updates on the progress of their case during an investigation or prosecution. The Government will be consulting shortly on changes to the Victims’ Code, in line with the commitment in its cross-government Victims Strategy.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 16/01/2020 16:38:15 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1169936

	registered interest
	date	10/01/2020
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Restraining Orders: Employment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, what assessment he has made of the effect of restraining orders on the career prospects of defendants who have been acquitted.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	1887
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/01/2020 answer text <p>Restraining orders are civil orders under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, though they may be issued in criminal proceedings. The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has not made any assessment of the effect of restraining orders on the career prospects of defendants who have been acquitted. The AGO is not responsible for policy related to assessing the impact of restraining orders, nor is it responsible for the relevant legislation.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 30/01/2020 17:46:37 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

1169938

	registered interest
	date	09/01/2020
	answering body	Attorney General
	answering dept id	88
	answering dept short name	Attorney General
	answering dept sort name	Attorney General
	hansard heading	Dangerous Driving: Prosecutions
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Attorney General, what assessment the Government has made of the effect of appeal and review processes for dangerous driving cases on access to justice for victims and their families.
	tabling member constituency	Huddersfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Barry Sheerman
	uin	1889
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/01/2020 answer text <p>The Victims’ Right to Review (VRR) scheme was launched in June 2013 and provides victims with the opportunity to request a review of a Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decision not to proceed with a prosecution. This can include cases where charges of death by dangerous driving have been considered.</p><p> </p><p>Access to the scheme has been deliberately designed to be as simple and transparent as possible. No reasons or justification for requesting a review are required. A simple request from the victim that they wish for the decision to be reviewed is all that is required. The VRR scheme has been endorsed by the courts and published guidance is available online.</p><p> </p><p>If the reviewing lawyer decides that the original decision was wrong, and a prosecution is required to maintain confidence in the Criminal Justice System, that decision will be overturned and proceedings reinstituted, where possible. All decision making is taken in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. Following a review under the VRR scheme, if a victim remains dissatisfied with the decision and wishes to challenge it further, they can apply to the High Court for a judicial review.</p> answering member constituency Northampton North answering member printed Michael Ellis question first answered 20/01/2020 17:09:59 answering member 4116 label Biography information for Sir Michael Ellis
	tabling member	411 label Biography information for Mr Barry Sheerman

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