The Government is committed to making sure that the criminal justice system is fair and just.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Criminal Justice System Strategy & Action Plan, published last summer, set out a number of commitments to promote equality including a series of Minister-led events with stakeholders to explore what more could be done.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Criminal Justice Board has had several recent discussions about equality and diversity and regularly reviews the statistical data.<\/p>
<\/p>
We do not plan to hold a specific inquiry into the proportion of black and minority ethnic defendants denied bail or receiving custodial sentences as compared with non-black and minority ethnic defendants with comparable records for similar offences but are clear that more analysis is needed to understand the underlying causes reflected in this data.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government will shortly publish an update to this plan which will contain further actions designed to promote equality.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4183", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Faulks"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Faulks"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-06-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-06-23T16:50:29.261985Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "54"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Justice"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Criminal Proceedings: Ethnic Groups"} , "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 data published in court proceeding tables associated with their criminal justice statistics quarterly report of December 2013, whether they plan to institute an inquiry into the higher proportion of black and minority ethnic defendants denied bail or receiving custodial sentences than non-black and minority ethnic defendants with comparable records for similar offences.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4181", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Beecham"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Beecham"} ], "uin" : "HL251"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/61474", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/61474/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We are aware of labour rights issues and allegations of human rights abuses in the Thai fishing industry, though not until now of the specific allegations made by the Guardian. We regularly raise our concerns about labour rights in Thailand with the relevant Thai authorities, for example during the UK-Thailand Strategic Dialogue in May 2013. The Guardian's report contains very serious allegations. We look to the Thai authorities to investigate.
Given the acute and continual political uncertainty in Thailand our ability to raise these issues with the authorities at this point is limited. However, we take the allegations very seriously and will look for opportunities to raise our concerns. At a minimum, we will continue to press for an improvement in labour rights in Thailand through ongoing negotiations towards an EU-Thailand Free Trade Agreement.
The UK remains a global leader in tackling human trafficking and slavery as shown by its recent introduction of a Modern Slavery Bill. We welcome any investigation which sheds light on these horrific allegations.
We also launched our action plan on business and human rights in 2013, becoming the first country to set out guidance to companies on integrating human rights into their operations. We engage regularly with British companies as part of our efforts to boost UK trade and inward investment, but at the same time we also clearly set our commitment to protecting human rights and its expectations of UK companies in this area.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3839", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Warsi"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Warsi"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-06-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-06-19T13:49:05.2762646Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "16"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign and Commonwealth Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Thailand"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the light of reports in The Guardian newspaper on 11 June, they intend to make representations to the government of Thailand about the exploitation and abuse of workers in that country's fishing industry and to United Kingdom companies which purchase the products of that industry.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4181", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Beecham"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Beecham"}
], "uin" : "HL252"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/61475", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/61475/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
<\/p>
There has been no specific assessment of the availability of skilled personnel for the home building sector. The Construction Industry Training Board's (CITB) latest Construction Skills Network Report forecasts an annual recruitment requirement for the construction sector, including home building, of 36,400 a year for the 2013 \u2013 2018 period.<\/p>
<\/p>
Under the auspices of the Construction Leadership Council, the house building industry is developing an action plan to address two immediate priorities: improving the image of house building and attracting back experienced workers who left during the recession, and other workers with relevant skills. More widely, the Government is making a number of reforms to the skills system to improve skills supply, putting employers in the driving seat and making providers more responsive to their needs.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government is also currently undertaking a triennial review of the way the CITB operates and challenging it on the service it delivers to the sector.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4169", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Viscount Younger of Leckie"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-06-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-06-24T16:22:41.4397496Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Housing: Construction"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of their stated intention of building more houses, what is their assessment of the availability of skilled personnel to carry out the building work necessary; and what measures they are taking to train sufficient numbers to ensure the success of the house building programme.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/248", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Jones of Cheltenham"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Jones of Cheltenham"} ], "uin" : "HL253"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/61476", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/61476/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
<\/p>
The Government has noted advice from the Construction Products Association that there is no general lack of capacity in UK products manufacturers. The Association advises that only 19 per cent of companies producing heavy building materials are currently operating at near capacity. As the products sector adjusts to the return to growth it expects that capacity will increase further in response to demand.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4169", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Viscount Younger of Leckie"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Viscount Younger of Leckie"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-06-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-06-24T16:31:26.8370096Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2014-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Housing: Construction"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of their stated intention of building more houses, what is their assessment of the ability of the United Kingdom building supplies industry to provide bricks, timber and other materials; and what measures they are taking to encourage growth in the building supplies industry to provide sufficient materials to ensure the success of the house building programme.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/248", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Jones of Cheltenham"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Jones of Cheltenham"} ], "uin" : "HL254"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/61224", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/61224/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
This Government is committed to preventing and tackling homelessness. According to the latest publication of the Quarterly Statutory Homelessness Statistics, (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statutory-homelessness-in-england-january-to-march-2014<\/a>), homelessness remains lower than in 27 of the last 30 years.<\/p> <\/p> But we are not complacent. We have increased spending on schemes to prevent homelessness, making over £500million available to help the most vulnerable in society.<\/p> No assessment has been made of the impact of the Housing Benefit (Habitual Residence) Amendment Regulations 2014 on homelessness and rough sleeping or on victims of domestic violence and their ability to secure a place in a refuge.<\/p> EEA jobseekers have not previously been eligible for homelessness assistance and this will remain the situation.<\/p> New EEA jobseekers will still be able to get some state support, but it is right that this is limited. In such cases, adults responsible for children can claim income-based Jobseeker's Allowance for a period and in certain circumstances may be able to apply for support from the Local Authority. In particular Local Authority support is subject to statutory criteria e.g. under section 17 of the Children Act 1989 (for a child in need and their family) or section 21 of the National Assistance Act 1948 (provision of accommodation in certain circumstances).<\/p> <\/p> The Department is actively monitoring the impact of the recent changes to Housing Benefit regulations relating to EEA migrants, using Management Information and administrative data and through research with Local Authorities.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3893", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Freud"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Freud"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-06-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL185"}
, {"_value" : "HL186"}
, {"_value" : "HL187"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-06-23T14:43:39.0040423Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-06-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Housing Benefit (Habitual Residence) Amendment Regulations 2014"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Housing Benefit (Habitual Residence) Amendment Regulations 2014 on rates of homelessness and rough sleeping.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4298", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Suttie"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Suttie"}
], "uin" : "HL184"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/61225", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/61225/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " <\/p> <\/p> <\/p> This Government is committed to preventing and tackling homelessness. According to the latest publication of the Quarterly Statutory Homelessness Statistics, (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statutory-homelessness-in-england-january-to-march-2014<\/a>), homelessness remains lower than in 27 of the last 30 years.<\/p> <\/p> But we are not complacent. We have increased spending on schemes to prevent homelessness, making over £500million available to help the most vulnerable in society.<\/p> No assessment has been made of the impact of the Housing Benefit (Habitual Residence) Amendment Regulations 2014 on homelessness and rough sleeping or on victims of domestic violence and their ability to secure a place in a refuge.<\/p> EEA jobseekers have not previously been eligible for homelessness assistance and this will remain the situation.<\/p> New EEA jobseekers will still be able to get some state support, but it is right that this is limited. In such cases, adults responsible for children can claim income-based Jobseeker's Allowance for a period and in certain circumstances may be able to apply for support from the Local Authority. In particular Local Authority support is subject to statutory criteria e.g. under section 17 of the Children Act 1989 (for a child in need and their family) or section 21 of the National Assistance Act 1948 (provision of accommodation in certain circumstances).<\/p> <\/p> The Department is actively monitoring the impact of the recent changes to Housing Benefit regulations relating to EEA migrants, using Management Information and administrative data and through research with Local Authorities.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3893", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Freud"}
}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Freud"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2014-06-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "HL184"}
, {"_value" : "HL186"}
, {"_value" : "HL187"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2014-06-23T14:43:39.1085006Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2014-06-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Housing Benefit (Habitual Residence) Amendment Regulations 2014"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Housing Benefit (Habitual Residence) Amendment Regulations 2014 on victims of domestic violence and their ability to secure a place in a refuge.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4298", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Suttie"}
}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Suttie"}
], "uin" : "HL185"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/61226", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/61226/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " <\/p> <\/p> <\/p>