The decision to prosecute UK citizens who fought in Syria is taken independently of Government by the CPS with the permission of the Attorney General as the guardian of the public interest where required by statute. The public interest in prosecuting these cases is considered on a case by case basis taking account of the factors set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors and the surrounding circumstances. There is no policy of prosecuting those who fought against ISIL forces and not prosecuting those who fought against UK-backed forces.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4538", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Keen of Elie"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-03-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-03-21T17:05:45.97Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "88"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-03-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "British Nationals Abroad: Syria"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Keen of Elie on 7 March (HL5766), whether they will set out what they regard as the public interest in prosecuting UK citizens who fought against ISIL forces in Syria, and not prosecuting those who fought against UK-backed forces in Syria.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/497", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Blencathra"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Blencathra"} ], "uin" : "HL6146"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/855394", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/855394/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government currently has no plans to conduct an investigation into the use of fake news on social media to discredit the UK fracking industry.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2616", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Henley"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Henley"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-03-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-03-19T17:00:23.407Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-03-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Fracking"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, following publication of the report of the US House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space and Technology Committee, Russian Attempts to Influence US Domestic Energy Markets by Exploiting Social Media, published on 1 March, whether they intend to conduct an investigation to determine whether there is any evidence that Russia has issued fake news on social media to discredit the UK fracking industry.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/497", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Blencathra"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Blencathra"} ], "uin" : "HL6000"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/855395", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/855395/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government has been clear through its work to tackle extremism and prevent people from becoming radicalised, the Government meets with a wide range of organisations. These organisations must be prepared to show leadership, point to solutions and challenge and confront extremist and terrorist ideologies and narratives whatever form they take.<\/p>
The Government will not provide a running commentary on the private meetings it holds.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4311", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Williams of Trafford"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-03-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-03-12T17:52:05.793Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-03-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Muslim Council of Britain"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 9 February (HL5196), what were the names of those members of the Muslim Council of Britain who met most recently with Home Office officials; whether that meeting was approved by a minister in advance; and if so, by which minister.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/497", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Blencathra"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Blencathra"} ], "uin" : "HL6001"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/855396", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Women and Equalities"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/855396/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government does not have an estimate of the number of individuals in the UK who identify as transgender.
The total transgender population is difficult to estimate for a number of reasons. For example, there is no standardised approach to collecting data on gender identity and some individuals are unwilling to disclose that they are transgender due to privacy concerns.
The Ministry of Justice publish statistics on the Gender Recognition Act process every quarter. The latest statistics can be found at:<\/p>
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tribunals-and-gender-recognition-certificate-statistics-quarterly-october-to-december-2017<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4311", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Williams of Trafford"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-03-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-03-19T16:06:57.743Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "31"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Women and Equalities"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Women and Equalities"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-03-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Transgender People"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their estimate of the number of individuals who self-identify as transsexual; and how many individuals have received a Gender Recognition Certificate since the Gender Recognition Act 2004 was passed.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/497", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Blencathra"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Blencathra"} ], "uin" : "HL6002"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/846804", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Attorney General"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/846804/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The DPP has regular meetings with the Attorney General about the work of the Crown Prosecution Service. The CPS makes its prosecution decisions independently. The DPP is required to seek the AG\u2019s permission before she gives her consent to the prosecution of certain offences under terrorism legislation. The AG makes those decision in line with the Protocol between the Attorney General and the Prosecuting Departments<\/em>, that is \u2018independently of government, applying well established prosecution principles of evidential sufficiency and public interest.\u2019<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4538", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Keen of Elie"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-03-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-03-07T16:03:29.443Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "88"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Attorney General"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-02-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "British Nationals Abroad: Syria"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions have taken place between the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General regarding the potential prosecution of UK citizens who fought against (1) UK backed forces in Syria, and (2) ISIL forces in Syria.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/497", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Blencathra"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Blencathra"}
], "uin" : "HL5766"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/846659", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/846659/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The forecast UK acquisition cost of the A400M Atlas transport aircraft programme is £2.6 billion. The current UK fleet size is 18 aircraft and of these, 15 are operational while three are at a facility in Spain being modified to bring them up to the latest capability standard. 22 A400M aircraft have been ordered by the UK and the final delivery is expected in 2022.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2000", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Earl Howe"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Earl Howe"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-02-27", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-02-27T15:07:27.6Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-02-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "A400M Aircraft: Procurement"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the current estimated cost of the A400 Atlas aircraft programme; how many of the aircraft have been delivered to the RAF so far; how many are operational; and when they expect deliveries to be complete.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/497", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Blencathra"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Blencathra"}
], "uin" : "HL5714"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/846660", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Ministry of Defence"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/846660/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " I refer the noble Lord to my answer of 7 February 2018 to Question HL5344.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2000", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Earl Howe"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Earl Howe"}
, "attachment" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/846660/answer/attachment/1", "fileName" : {"_value" : "Hansard Extract 1 February 2018, HL5344.docx"}
, "title" : "Capita"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-03-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-03-01T15:42:36.507Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "11"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Defence"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-02-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Capita: Army"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to conduct an urgent review into the competence of Capita for undertaking army recruitment.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/497", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Blencathra"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Blencathra"}
], "uin" : "HL5715"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/846661", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/846661/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Public interest interventions under the Enterprise Act 2002 are quasi-judicial in nature and it is important that Ministers act, and are seen to be acting, impartially. For this reason, the Government does not comment on the use of these powers in individual cases.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2616", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Henley"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Henley"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-03-01", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-03-01T11:30:17.81Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "201"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-02-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "GKN: Melrose"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to block in the national interest the hostile takeover bid by Melrose for GKN.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/497", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Blencathra"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Blencathra"}
], "uin" : "HL5716"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/838876", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "HM Treasury"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/838876/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The OBR\u2019s remit is set out in the Budget Responsibility and National Audit Act 2011 which is to \u2018examine and report on the sustainability of the public finances\u2019. In doing so, the OBR must produce at least two forecasts per financial year which must include the impact of government policy where it can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-02-22", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-02-22T15:20:13.583Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "14"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Treasury"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "CaTreasury"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-02-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Office for Budget Responsibility"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the role of the Office for Budget Responsibility in economic forecasting, in the light of the Treasury's analysis of the economic impact of Brexit.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/497", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Blencathra"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Blencathra"}
], "uin" : "HL5516"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/838333", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "The Senior Deputy Speaker"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/838333/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Both Houses have decided that the next steps of the Restoration & Renewal Programme should be overseen by a Sponsor Board and Delivery Authority. It is expected that the Commission of each House will therefore immediately focus on establishing those bodies in shadow form. Until the shadow Sponsor Board has been appointed, the Programme will continue to be delivered under the governance of the bicameral Programme Board, which consists of officials from both Houses plus two external members, and acts with authority delegated from the Board and Accounting Officer of each House. Establishing both bodies in substantive form will require primary legislation.<\/p> The Programme Team, supported by its client advisory services consultants, CH2M and BDP, will continue work in the following areas:<\/p> The design phase will require extensive consultation with Members of both Houses, as well as a wide range of other stakeholders including staff, third-party occupants of the Parliamentary Estate, visitors and other members of society throughout the United Kingdom. It is anticipated that this engagement work will be developed and taken forward by the shadow Sponsor Board once it is established later this year.<\/p>