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1126324

registered interest
date	13/05/2019
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Mobile Phones: Evidence
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Baroness Williams of Trafford on 8 May (HL Deb, col 1220), whether the Attorney General will personally supervise the review of the digital evidence consent form; and whether the views of police and crime commissioners were taken into account in the development of that form.
tabling member printed	Lord Morris of Aberavon
uin	HL15684
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/05/2019 answer text <p>The digital evidence consent forms are overseen by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the Crown Prosecution Service, and they will continue to engage with victims’ groups and the Information Commissioner’s Office to ensure that the right approach is being taken. A draft of the form was issued to a number of stakeholders during development, and this included the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners. The Attorney General will be issuing new Attorney General’s Guidelines on Disclosure in the winter. These Guidelines will assist prosecutors and investigators in ensuring that privacy and data protection considerations are properly considered in disclosure practice and procedure.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 28/05/2019 15:14:22 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
tabling member	565 label Biography information for Lord Morris of Aberavon

1126567

registered interest
date	14/05/2019
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Attorney General: Sick Leave
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, how many and what proportion of officials in his Department took sick leave for reasons relating to stress in the last 12 months; what proportion that leave was of total sick leave taken in his Department; and what the cost was to his Department of officials taking sick leave over that period.
tabling member constituency	Carshalton and Wallington
tabling member printed	Tom Brake
uin	254076
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2019 answer text <p>The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has had officials take sick leave for reasons relating to stress in the last 12 months. However, we are not in a position to release this data, as due to the small size of the office this could lead to individuals becoming identifiable.</p><p>The AGO is highly committed to the health and wellbeing of its staff, and works to help them to manage stress in the workplace. The AGO offers a range of guidance and services in place to support staff, including launching its own wellbeing statement and strategy, and receiving the commitment of the Executive Board to wellbeing. The staff volunteer led wellbeing group has organised numerous events for colleagues to help improve wellbeing and manage stress. The AGO also offers free counselling services for staff members.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 22/05/2019 14:47:16 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
tabling member	151 label Biography information for Tom Brake

1127993

registered interest
date	21/05/2019
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Royal Albert Hall
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Keen of Elie on 18 February (HL13508), when the Attorney General expects to give a decision on the application by the Charity Commission to refer questions concerning the Royal Albert Hall to the Charity Tribunal.
tabling member printed	Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts
uin	HL15878
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/06/2019 answer text <p>Last year the Charity Commission wrote to the Attorney General requesting his consent to refer five questions to the First-Tier Tribunal concerning the Corporation of the Hall of Arts and Sciences – i.e. the Royal Albert Hall, which is a registered charity. While the Charity Commission has the power to refer questions to the Tribunal, it may only do so with the consent of the Attorney General, as set out in section 325 of the Charities Act 2011.</p><p> </p><p>As set out in the Written Answer HL13508, this is a complex case and careful consideration is being given to the detailed representations made by the Corporation and the Commission. While it is not yet possible to provide an estimate as to when a final decision will be made, a preliminary response from officials is being drawn up setting out initial views and inviting further discussion between the parties. This will be sent to the Commission and the Corporation shortly.</p> answering member printed Lord Keen of Elie question first answered 05/06/2019 10:56:09 answering member 4538 label Biography information for Lord Keen of Elie
tabling member	1651 label Biography information for Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts

1128365

registered interest
date	22/05/2019
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Armed Forces: Prosecutions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on legal protections for armed forces personnel and veterans.
tabling member constituency	Llanelli
tabling member printed	Nia Griffith
uin	257488
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/06/2019 answer text <p>As a consequence of the long-standing Law Officers’ Convention, the Attorney General does not confirm whether advice has been provided to Ministerial colleagues on any particular issue, or the content of any advice that has been given. Policy responsibility for this matter lies with the Secretary of State for Defence.</p> answering member constituency Torridge and West Devon answering member printed Mr Geoffrey Cox question first answered 05/06/2019 08:32:56 answering member 1508 label Biography information for Sir Geoffrey Cox
tabling member	1541 label Biography information for Dame Nia Griffith

1129073

registered interest
date	03/06/2019
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Sexual Offences: Disclosure of Information
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, whether the Sub-Group to the Criminal Justice Board and Review of the Criminal Justice Response to Rape and Serious Sexual Offences plans to make an assessment of the (a) effectiveness and (b) effect on survivors of rape of the legal guidance issued by the CPS on rape and sexual offence in relation to disclosure of medical records and counselling notes.
tabling member constituency	Brighton, Pavilion
tabling member printed	Caroline Lucas
uin	259168
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/06/2019 answer text <p>The Crown Prosecution Service is working with the police, government departments and third sector stakeholders on the Government’s review into how the criminal justice system responds to rape and serious sexual offences. The Crown Prosecution Service is committed to working with all involved in the Review, including stakeholders, to identify and address any issues that are identified.</p><p>Complainants are entitled to protection from unnecessary and unjustified invasion of their private lives. CPS guidance is clear that where it is a reasonable line of enquiry in the investigation, the police should obtain complainants’ informed consent to gain access to medical records and counselling notes. Prosecutors will robustly apply the relevant statutory provisions when deciding whether such material should be disclosed to the defence.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 12/06/2019 15:12:37 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
tabling member	3930 label Biography information for Caroline Lucas

1129271

registered interest
date	03/06/2019
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Rape: Mental Health Services
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, if the Government will review the CPS guidance given to victims of rape on seeking therapy.
tabling member constituency	Ealing Central and Acton
tabling member printed	Dr Rupa Huq
uin	259357
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/06/2019 answer text <p>It is vital that victims are confident they will be treated with the utmost fairness by the justice system. CPS committed, as part of the cross-Government Victims Strategy, to launch new guidance on pre-trial therapy to reduce the perception amongst victims, therapists and criminal justice professionals that it will damage the prosecution case. This is due to be published this summer. Additionally, a new toolkit for prosecutors on the support that an individual suffering from a mental health condition will require was launched in August 2018.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 06/06/2019 11:17:26 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
tabling member	4511 label Biography information for Dr Rupa Huq

1130565

registered interest
date	06/06/2019
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Attorney General: Living Wage
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, what proportion of organisations that hold contracts with his Department pay the National Living Wage.
tabling member constituency	Ellesmere Port and Neston
tabling member printed	Justin Madders
uin	261262
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/06/2019 answer text <p>The Attorney General’s Office does not hold direct contracts with organisations. Goods and services are obtained through direct ordering with a supplier, or through contracts held by other government departments.</p><p> </p><p>The Attorney General’s Office holds no information on rates of pay for other organisations. Specific rates of pay are a matter for each individual organisation.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 13/06/2019 16:26:41 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
tabling member	4418 label Biography information for Justin Madders

1130703

registered interest
date	07/06/2019
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Rape: Prosecutions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, (a) how many and (b) what proportion of cases of rape reported to the CPS were administratively finalised in each year since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Ashfield
tabling member printed	Gloria De Piero
uin	261500
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2019 answer text <p>It is important to stress that ’administrative finalisation’ is not a prosecutorial decision. It is an administrative process where cases are closed on CPS’ electronic case management system. It does not necessarily mean the proceedings are at an end. Such cases may be reopened, if at a later date, new material is provided to the prosecution enabling a charging decision to be made.</p><p> </p><p>Proceedings are administratively finalised when:</p><p> </p><ul><li>The police seek early investigative advice from the CPS and did not resubmit the case to the CPS for a charging decision. In these instances, the case enters the CPS records but was never actually referred for a charging decision.</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>The police do refer a case to the police but there is insufficient evidence to bring a charge, sothe CPS ask the police to complete an action plan in order to improve the evidence. If the police are unable to respond to the action plan or decide not to pursue the matter, then the case will be ‘administratively finalised’ on the CPS system because the police cannot bring forward a case with sufficient evidence to charge.</li></ul><p>There was a 9% reduction in referrals from the police between 2016/17 and 2017/18. During this period, the percentage of cases resulting in no further action remained largely unchanged. There was, however, a significant increase in both the volume and percentage of cases administratively finalised. This is largely because of internal CPS administrative processes, reminding users to ‘administratively finalise’ cases where the police had requested early advice but had not resubmitted.</p><p>This coincided with an increase in the number of cases where the police have not responded to early investigative advice or an action plan has resulted in a rise in the number of administrative finalisations.</p><p>The table below shows the outcome of all referrals from the police for a pre charge decision, and show both the volume and the rates of these outcomes</p><p>TABLE KEY:</p><p> </p><ul><li>Decision to charge: Prosecutors must be satisfied there is enough evidence to provide a &quot;realistic prospect of conviction&quot; against each defendant and that the prosecution is in the public interest.</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>Take no further action: This is a prosecutorial decision based on an assessment that there is insufficient evidence to provide a “realistic prospect of conviction” or that a prosecution is not in the public interest. The case may be reopened if the police provide further evidence or the victim successfully appeals the decision under the victims right to review;</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>Out of Court Disposal: Out of court disposals include a caution, conditional caution or the recommendation that the offence is taken into consideration with other charges;</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>Other: the result of the charging decision is not known or has not been given for that suspect.</li></ul><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Volumes &amp; Rates as %</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Charge</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>No Further Action</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Out of Court Disposal</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Admin Finalised</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Other</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Total</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2010-2011</strong></p></td><td><p>3,387 (42%)</p></td><td><p>4,339 (53%)</p></td><td><p>65 (1%)</p></td><td><p>321 (4%)</p></td><td><p>18 (0%)</p></td><td><p>8,130</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2011-2012</strong></p></td><td><p>3,213 (47%)</p></td><td><p>3,281 (48%)</p></td><td><p>42 (1%)</p></td><td><p>275 (4%)</p></td><td><p>11 (0%)</p></td><td><p>6,822</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2012-2013</strong></p></td><td><p>2,889 (53%)</p></td><td><p>2,195 (41%)</p></td><td><p>34 (1%)</p></td><td><p>281 (5%)</p></td><td><p>5 (0%)</p></td><td><p>5,404</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2013-2014</strong></p></td><td><p>3,621 (62%)</p></td><td><p>1,857 (32%)</p></td><td><p>23 (0%)</p></td><td><p>341 (6%)</p></td><td><p>8 (0%)</p></td><td><p>5,850</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2014-2015</strong></p></td><td><p>3,648 (59%)</p></td><td><p>1,997 (32%)</p></td><td><p>29 (0%)</p></td><td><p>484 (8%)</p></td><td><p>1 (0%)</p></td><td><p>6,159</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2015-2016</strong></p></td><td><p>3,910 (57%)</p></td><td><p>2,271 (33%)</p></td><td><p>24 (0%)</p></td><td><p>645 (9%)</p></td><td><p>5 (0%)</p></td><td><p>6,855</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2016-2017</strong></p></td><td><p>3,671 (56%)</p></td><td><p>2,145 (32%)</p></td><td><p>30 (0%)</p></td><td><p>761 (12%)</p></td><td><p>4 (0%)</p></td><td><p>6,611</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2017-2018</strong></p></td><td><p>2,822 (47%</p></td><td><p>1,851 (31%)</p></td><td><p>26 (0%)</p></td><td><p>1,307 (22%)</p></td><td><p>6 (0%)</p></td><td><p>6,012</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 17/06/2019 15:09:46 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
tabling member	3915 label Biography information for Gloria De Piero

1130704

registered interest
date	07/06/2019
answering body	Attorney General
answering dept id	88
answering dept short name	Attorney General
answering dept sort name	Attorney General
hansard heading	Rape: Prosecutions
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Attorney General, what the average number of days taken from a report of rape to a decision to charge was in each year since 2010.
tabling member constituency	Ashfield
tabling member printed	Gloria De Piero
uin	261501
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/06/2019 answer text <table><tbody><tr><td><p>The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain a record of the average number of days taken from a report of rape to the police through to a decision to charge. Data is, however, held on the average number of days from submission of a rape case by the police to the CPS through to the date of the decision to charge. The CPS works closely with police colleagues to ensure that where individuals are charged, cases have been thoroughly investigated and individuals are properly charged and prosecuted so that the interests of both victims and perpetrators are protected and cases do not collapse mid-trial. The figures provided in the table below include the end to end timeliness from submission to the date of the decision to charge. This comprises of the time when the case was with both police and the CPS. <table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Financial Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong> </strong> <strong>Average Number of Calendar Days </strong> <strong>Receipt to Decision to Charge</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Average Consultations per Suspect</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2010-2011</strong></p></td><td><p>32</p></td><td><p>1.71</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2011-2012</strong></p></td><td><p>33</p></td><td><p>1.74</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2012-2013</strong></p></td><td><p>34</p></td><td><p>1.69</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2013-2014</strong></p></td><td><p>40</p></td><td><p>1.66</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2014-2015</strong></p></td><td><p>55</p></td><td><p>1.65</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2015-2016</strong></p></td><td><p>53</p></td><td><p>1.66</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2016-2017</strong></p></td><td><p>67</p></td><td><p>1.80</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2017-2018</strong></p></td><td><p>78</p></td><td><p>1.97</p></td></tr></tbody></table></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>There are a number of reasons for the steady increase in the average number of days and average number of consultations per case since 2010/11. The number of consultations between CPS prosecutors and police investigators is important. Consultations allow for a close examination of the evidence thus ensuring the case is strong. Clearly, the more consultations that take place, the longer the time between receipt of the case and the decision to charge.</p><p> </p><p>Police are now encouraged to seek early investigative advice more often and in particular in rape and serious sexual offences cases. Early investigative advice helps to ensure that cases are thoroughly investigated and the evidence to be brought before the court is strong. As a result, fewer cases are dropped after the defendant has been charged. With the increase in early investigative advice, CPS is more often involved at an earlier stage in proceedings and this will invariably impact on the average number of consultations and overall timeliness.</p><p> </p><p>There has also been an increase in the complexity of rape cases investigated by the police. Investigations often involve large amounts of electronic material (social media, emails, text messages, video and photographs) which needs to be reviewed by prosecutors before a charging decision can be made. This also impacts on the average number of consultations and timeliness of the pre-charge stage of the case.</p><p> </p><p>CPS prosecutors work closely with police colleagues to build strong cases which can be brought before the courts. Increased complexity has been evidenced over time by the rise in the average number of consultations with the police. Since 2010/11, the number has increased from 1.71 to 1.98 consultations per case, a rise of 16%.</p><p> </p><p>Changes have now been made to the Casework Management System to provide for a more sophisticated level of reporting. In future, CPS will be able to report the timeliness for each individual consultation.</p> answering member constituency South East Cambridgeshire answering member printed Lucy Frazer question first answered 13/06/2019 08:28:06 answering member 4517 label Biography information for Lucy Frazer
tabling member	3915 label Biography information for Gloria De Piero

1126490

registered interest
date	14/05/2019
answering body	Cabinet Office
answering dept id	53
answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
hansard heading	Grenfell Tower Inquiry
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the timeframe is for a report on phase one of the Grenfell Tower inquiry led by Sir Martin Moore-Bick will be published.
tabling member constituency	Wentworth and Dearne
tabling member printed	John Healey
uin	254138
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2019 answer text <p>The timing and handling of the Inquiry is a matter for the independent Inquiry and the Government hopes that the report for phase 1 will be published soon.</p><p>The Grenfell Tower Inquiry has already begun Phase 2 with the ongoing disclosure of thousands of documents to core participants. Phase 2 of the Inquiry will address the design and modification of the building; the fire and safety measures within it; the management, governance and inspection of the tower; and the steps taken in the days immediately following the fire to support those whose homes had been destroyed. The Inquiry expects the Phase 2 hearings to begin in early 2020.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 17/06/2019 11:47:31 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
tabling member	400 label Biography information for John Healey