{ "format" : "linked-data-api", "version" : "0.2", "result" : {"_about" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?AnsweringBody.=Department+for+Environment%2C+Food+and+Rural+Affairs&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2017-09-15T14%3A59%3A06.673Z&min-ddpModified.=2017-11-28T15%3A35%3A06.142Z&hansardHeading=Animal+Welfare%3A+Sentencing", "definition" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/meta/answeredquestions.text?AnsweringBody.=Department+for+Environment%2C+Food+and+Rural+Affairs&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2017-09-15T14%3A59%3A06.673Z&min-ddpModified.=2017-11-28T15%3A35%3A06.142Z&hansardHeading=Animal+Welfare%3A+Sentencing", "extendedMetadataVersion" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?AnsweringBody.=Department+for+Environment%2C+Food+and+Rural+Affairs&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2017-09-15T14%3A59%3A06.673Z&_metadata=all&min-ddpModified.=2017-11-28T15%3A35%3A06.142Z&hansardHeading=Animal+Welfare%3A+Sentencing", "first" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?_page=0&AnsweringBody.=Department+for+Environment%2C+Food+and+Rural+Affairs&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2017-09-15T14%3A59%3A06.673Z&min-ddpModified.=2017-11-28T15%3A35%3A06.142Z&hansardHeading=Animal+Welfare%3A+Sentencing", "hasPart" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?AnsweringBody.=Department+for+Environment%2C+Food+and+Rural+Affairs&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2017-09-15T14%3A59%3A06.673Z&min-ddpModified.=2017-11-28T15%3A35%3A06.142Z&hansardHeading=Animal+Welfare%3A+Sentencing", "isPartOf" : "http://eldaddp.azurewebsites.net/answeredquestions.text?AnsweringBody.=Department+for+Environment%2C+Food+and+Rural+Affairs&min-answer.questionFirstAnswered.=2017-09-15T14%3A59%3A06.673Z&min-ddpModified.=2017-11-28T15%3A35%3A06.142Z&hansardHeading=Animal+Welfare%3A+Sentencing", "items" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1240356", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1240356/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government is committed to further strengthening our world-leading animal welfare standards and fully supports increasing the maximum custodial sentences for animal cruelty offences from six months to five years. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill was introduced into the House of Commons by Chris Loder MP on 5 February. Second Reading is due on 23 October. The Government will continue to support it as it makes its way through Parliament.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>We have committed to bringing in new laws on animal sentience. Any necessary changes required to domestic legislation will be made in an effective and credible way and will be brought forward when parliamentary time allows. In the meantime, Defra is continuing to engage closely with stakeholders to further refine the Government's proposals on animal sentience.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4401", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Victoria Prentis"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Banbury"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Victoria Prentis"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-10-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-10-14T08:35:56.303Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-10-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Animal Welfare: Sentencing"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Answer of 14 February 2019 to Question 218781 on Animal welfare sentencing and recognition of sentience, what his timetable is for the introduction of legislative requirements relating to animal sentience and to increasing the maximum penalties for animal cruelty; what the outcome was of engagement with stakeholders to further refine the Government's proposals on animal sentience; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3930", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Caroline Lucas"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Brighton, Pavilion"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Caroline Lucas"}
      ], "uin" : "98934"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1234496", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1234496/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government is supporting the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill as it makes its way through Parliament. Second Reading of the Bill is scheduled for 23 October. The Bill will increase the maximum custodial penalty for animal cruelty from six months' imprisonment to five years' imprisonment.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The new maximum penalty of five years is in line with campaigns by key stakeholders such as Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Dogs Trust and the RSPCA. This is a positive step forward in improving animal welfare and will act as a serious deterrent against cruelty and neglect. Northern Ireland has already set the maximum penalty for animal cruelty offences at five years' imprisonment, and the Scottish Government has now passed the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Act 2020. The Welsh Government has confirmed that the new maximum penalty being proposed should apply in Wales. The increase to five years' imprisonment will provide one of the toughest sanctions in Europe, strengthening the UK's position as a global leader on animal welfare.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4401", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Victoria Prentis"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Banbury"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Victoria Prentis"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-09-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-09-23T14:49:47.613Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-09-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Animal Welfare: Sentencing"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what progress he has made in bringing forward legislative proposals to introduce five-year maximum sentences for acts of animal cruelty in England and Wales.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4267", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sarah Champion"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rotherham"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sarah Champion"}
      ], "uin" : "90132"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1221718", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1221718/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>The Government is supporting the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill as it makes its way through Parliament. The Bill will increase the maximum custodial penalty for animal cruelty from six months\u2019 imprisonment to five years\u2019 imprisonment.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The new maximum penalty of five years is in line with campaigns by key stakeholders such as Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Dogs Trust and the RSPCA. This is a positive step forward in improving animal welfare and will act as a serious deterrent against cruelty and neglect. Northern Ireland has already set the maximum penalty for animal cruelty offences at five years\u2019 imprisonment, and the Scottish Government introduced the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill on 30 September 2019. The Welsh Government has confirmed that the new maximum penalty being proposed should apply in Wales.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>The increase to five years' imprisonment will provide one of the toughest sanctions in Europe, strengthening the UK's position as a global leader on animal welfare. This builds on recent positive action the Government has taken to improve animal welfare standards, such as a requirement for CCTV in all slaughterhouses and implementing one of the world's toughest ivory bans. For companion animals, we have introduced new updated minimum welfare standards for pet selling, dog breeding, riding schools, animal boarding and exhibiting animals, as well as a ban on the commercial third-party sale of puppies and kittens.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4062", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-07-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-07-16T13:05:06.827Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-07-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Animal Welfare: Sentencing"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase the penalties for animal welfare offences.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4130", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick"}
      ], "uin" : "HL6576"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1173814", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1173814/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>Sentencing is a matter for the courts, which are independent from the Government. When deciding what sentence to impose the courts take into account the circumstances of the offence and any mitigating and aggravating factors, in line with the sentencing guidelines which are published by the independent Sentencing Council for England and Wales. The guidelines are intended to promote greater transparency and consistency in sentencing. Sentencing is a devolved matter in Scotland and Northern Ireland.<\/p><p> <\/p><p>In line with the manifesto commitment to introduce tougher sentences for animal cruelty, the Government remains fully committed to increasing the maximum custodial sentences for animal cruelty offences from six months to five years. The necessary legislation will be introduced as soon as Parliamentary time allows. The Welsh Government has agreed this increase should apply in Wales. The Scottish Government has proposed a similar increase for its equivalent offence in Scotland. Northern Ireland already has a maximum penalty of five years\u2019 imprisonment for animal cruelty offences.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3934", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for George Eustice"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Camborne and Redruth"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "George Eustice"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2020-02-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2020-02-03T16:13:35.163Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2020-01-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Animal Welfare: Sentencing"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with devolved Administrations on ensuring consistency of sentencing for animal abuse offences.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4131", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Jim Shannon"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Strangford"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Jim Shannon"}
      ], "uin" : "9023"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1134472", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1134472/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>I am pleased to say that the legislation needed to implement the increase in the maximum penalty for animal cruelty offences - the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill \u2013 had its First Reading in this House on 26 June. The Bill will increase the custodial penalty for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, as well as other animal cruelty offences, from 6 months\u2019 imprisonment to 5 years\u2019 imprisonment.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4033", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Rutley"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Macclesfield"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "David Rutley"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-03", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-03T11:47:41.973Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Animal Welfare: Sentencing"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to increase the maximum sentence available under the Animal welfare (Service Animals) Act 2006.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/301", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Richard Burden"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Northfield"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Richard Burden"}
      ], "uin" : "268962"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1134141", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1134141/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>I am pleased to say that the legislation needed to implement the increase in the maximum penalty for animal cruelty offences - the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill \u2013 had its First Reading in this House on 26 June.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4033", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Rutley"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Macclesfield"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "David Rutley"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-06-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-06-27T14:08:21.677Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Animal Welfare: Sentencing"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to bring forward legislative proposals to amend the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to increase the maximum penalty for the most serious offences of animal cruelty to five years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4511", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Dr Rupa Huq"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ealing Central and Acton"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Dr Rupa Huq"}
      ], "uin" : "268563"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1133898", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1133898/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>I am pleased to report that the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 26 June. The Bill, when passed, will increase the maximum penalty for animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 from 6 months\u2019 imprisonment to 5 years\u2019 imprisonment.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4033", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Rutley"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Macclesfield"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "David Rutley"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-07-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-07-01T13:43:58.24Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-06-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Animal Welfare: Sentencing"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to introduce tougher sentences for animal cruelty.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4716", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Ruth Jones"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Newport West"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Ruth Jones"}
      ], "uin" : "267787"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1122860", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1122860/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>I refer the Rt. hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Romford, Andrew Rosindell, on 28 March 2019, PQ 236361.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4033", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Rutley"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Macclesfield"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "David Rutley"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-04-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-04-29T16:24:23.417Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-04-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Animal Welfare: Sentencing"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural affairs, following the granting of Royal Assent to Finns Law, when he plans to bring forward the legislative proposals necessary to introduce five-year sentences for cruelty to animals.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/87", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Roger Gale"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Thanet"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir Roger Gale"}
      ], "uin" : "246905"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1110430", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1110430/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>We are committed to the highest standards of animal welfare. On 26 October 2018, the Government published the draft Animal Welfare (Sentencing and Recognition of Sentience) Bill which contains the necessary provisions to increase the maximum penalty for animal cruelty from six months\u2019 imprisonment to five years\u2019 imprisonment in England and Wales, and which we will introduce as soon as parliamentary time permits.<\/p><p> <\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4033", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for David Rutley"}
        }
        , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Macclesfield"}
        , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "David Rutley"}
        , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-04-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
        , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-04-11T12:20:07.303Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
        ]}
      , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
      , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-04-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Animal Welfare: Sentencing"}
      , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
      , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
      }
      ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 27 March 2019 to Question 233614, whether his Department has drafted primary legislation to increase the custodial maximum penalty for animal cruelty from six months imprisonment to five years imprisonment.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
      , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4607", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Stephanie Peacock"}
      }
      , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Barnsley East"}
      , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Stephanie Peacock"}
      ], "uin" : "242229"}
    , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1105828", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
      ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1105828/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "<p>We are committed to the highest standards of animal welfare and the Government has announced that it will increase the custodial maximum penalty for animal cruelty from 6 months' to 5 years' imprisonment as soon as Parliamentary time allows.<\/p>"}
        , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4161", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Gardiner of Kimble"}
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      , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-03-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
      , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Animal Welfare: Sentencing"}
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      ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home Sentencing for animal cruelty in England and Wales, published in 2017, what plans they have to introduce legislation to increase the maximum sentence for the most serious cases of animal cruelty from six months to five years imprisonment.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
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